'amphiarthrotic' originates from Greek: the prefix 'amphi-' (Greek 'amphi') meaning 'both' or 'on both sides', combined with 'arthr-' from Greek 'arthron' meaning 'joint', plus the adjectival suffix '-tic'.

'amphiarthrotic' entered scientific English via Neo-Latin/Modern Latin formations based on Greek roots (compare Neo-Latin 'amphiarthrosis' for the noun), and was adopted into modern anatomical terminology as the adjective describing joints of limited mobility.

Initially formed from Greek elements to describe joints involving 'both' aspects of movement or position; it has come to mean specifically 'pertaining to a slightly movable joint' in modern anatomy.