Amphiscians

Amphiscians
Amphiscians (n.) 1620s, from M.L. Amphiscii, from Gk. amphiskioi "inhabitants of the tropics," lit. "throwing a shadow both ways," from amphi- "on both sides" (see AMPHI- (Cf. amphi-)) + skia "shadow" (see SHINE (Cf. shine)). Inhabitants of torrid zones, so called because they are "people whose shadow is sometimes to the North, and sometimes to the South" [Cockerham, 1623].

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Amphiscians — Amphiscii Am*phis ci*i, Amphiscians Am*phis cians, n. pl. [Gr. ? throwing a shadow both ways; ? + ? shadow.] The inhabitants of the tropic, whose shadows in one part of the year are cast to the north, and in the other to the south, according as… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • amphiscians — /am fish ee euhnz, fish euhnz/, n.pl. Archaic. inhabitants of the tropics. Also, amphiscii /am fish ee uy /. [1615 25; < ML Amphisci(i) ( < Gk amphískioi, pl. of AMPHÍSKIOS (adj.) casting a shadow both ways, equiv. to amphi AMPHI + skí(a) shadow… …   Universalium

  • amphiscians — am·phis·ci·ans …   English syllables

  • amphiscians — …   Useful english dictionary

  • Amphiscian — Amphiscians, or Amphiscii, is a name given to inhabitants of the torrid zone, whose shadows in one part of the year are cast to the north, and in the other to the south, according as the sun is south or north of their zenith.The word comes from… …   Wikipedia

  • am|phis|ci|i — «am FIHSH ee y», noun (plural). = amphiscians. (Cf. ↑amphiscians) …   Useful english dictionary

  • Amphiscii — Am*phis ci*i, Amphiscians Am*phis cians, n. pl. [Gr. ? throwing a shadow both ways; ? + ? shadow.] The inhabitants of the tropic, whose shadows in one part of the year are cast to the north, and in the other to the south, according as the sun is… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • amphiscii — noun plural see amphiscians …   Useful english dictionary

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