'amphibole-free' is a modern English compound formed from 'amphibole' + 'free'. 'Amphibole' entered English as the mineral name from French 'amphibole', ultimately from Greek 'amphibolos' meaning 'ambiguous, doubtful'; 'free' comes from Old English 'frēo' meaning 'not in bondage, exempt'.

'Amphibole' originated from Greek 'amphibolos' and passed into modern European languages (French 'amphibole') before being adopted into English as the mineral name 'amphibole'. 'Free' comes from Old English 'frēo' and has remained in continuous use; combining them produced the descriptive compound 'amphibole-free' in technical usage.

Initially, the Greek root 'amphibolos' meant 'ambiguous', but as a mineral name 'amphibole' came to denote a specific group of silicate minerals. Combined with 'free' the modern compound means 'without amphibole minerals'.