Word Origin & History
ambi-
combining form meaning "both, on both sides," from L. ambi- "around, round about," from PIE *ambhi- "around" (cf. Gk. amphi "round about," Skt. abhitah "on both sides," Avestan aibi, O.E. ymbe, Ger. um, Gaul. ambi-, O.Ir. imb- "round about, about," O.C.S. oba, Lith. abu "both"). The PIE root is probably an ablative plural of *ant-bhi "from both sides," from *ant- "front, forehead."