amphibian

am·phib·i·an

noun \-bē-ən\

Definition of AMPHIBIAN

1

: an amphibious organism; especially : any of a class (Amphibia) of cold-blooded vertebrates (as frogs, toads, or salamanders) intermediate in many characters between fishes and reptiles and having gilled aquatic larvae and air-breathing adults

2

: an amphibious vehicle; especially : an airplane designed to take off from and land on either land or water

— amphibian adjective

Origin of AMPHIBIAN

ultimately from Greek amphibion amphibious being, from neuter of amphibios

First Known Use: 1835