1. A fabled serpent with a head at each end, moving either way. Milton.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A genus of harmless lizards, serpentlike in form, without legs, and with both ends so much alike that they appear to have a head at each, and ability to move either way. See Illustration in Appendix.
Note: The Gordius aquaticus, or hairworm, has been called an amphisbæna; but it belongs among the worms.
AMPHISBAENOID
Am`phis*bæ"noid, a. Etym: [NL., fr. L. amphisbaena + -oid.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Like or pertaining to the lizards of the genus Amphisbæna.
AMPHISCII; AMPHISCIANS
Am*phis"ci*i, Am*phis"cians, n. pl. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: 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 south or north of their zenith.
AMPHISTOMOUS
Am*phis"to*mous, a. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Having a sucker at each extremity, as certain entozoa, by means of which they adhere.