English
amphipathic
Amphipathic comes from Ancient Greek ἀμφί ‘on both sides’, and goes back to Proto-Indo-European *h₂m̥bʰi ‘round about, around’.
- Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*h₂m̥bʰi‘round about, around’reconstructed
- Proto-Hellenicc. 2200–1600 BCE*ampʰíreconstructed
- Ancient Greekc. 800–300 BCEἀμφίamphí‘on both sides’
- Englishtodayamphipathic
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Earlier history uncertain.
Lineage
- Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*h₂m̥bʰi‘round about, around’reconstructed
- Proto-Hellenicc. 2200–1600 BCE*ampʰíreconstructed
- Ancient Greekc. 800–300 BCEἀμφίamphí‘on both sides’
- Englishtodayamphipathic
Formed from amphi- + παθικός ‘remaining passive in a sexual intercourse’
Linked words
through Proto-Indo-European *h₂ent- ‘forehead’
end, answer, ancient, endless, antique, ante, ender, 10 more
through Proto-Indo-European *h₂énts ‘forehead’
Today it means
adj Describing a molecule, such as a detergent, which has both hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Proto-Indo-European *h₂m̥bʰi / amphipathic