Re: [none]

> >         Amphibious animals can breathe underwater.\
>
> Wrong.

Sorry, but he's right.

>   That's the
> > definition of
> > "amphibious" with respect to animals.
>
> Wrong again.
>
>   Here's what Merriam-Webster
> > had to
> > say:
> >
> >         "3. able to live both on land and in water <amphibious
> > plants>"
>
> This is plants.  We're talking animals.

Perhaps you should learn how to read a dictionary before coming to such
abrupt and incorrect assumptions.

1. A dictionary is nothing more than a collection of the meanings *by most
common usage* of words. The most common usage of this word *is* the ability
to breathe (perhaps respire would be a more accurate term) either air or
water.

2. In a dictionary, enclosing a word of phrase in a bracket of some kind
denotes an example. Examples are never exclusive.

3.  The common earthworm is also amphibious. It respires through it's skin,
and can do so anywhere there is free oxygen, be it under ground, in the air,
or in the water.

> >         To me, "living" in water means more than just "being
> > comfortable" in
> > water.  *I'M* pretty comfortable in water, but I couldn't live in it.
> >  =)
>
> It doesn't matter what it means to you.  Especially when you're
> referring to plants and not animals.  Amphibious animals breathe air,
> not water.

As noted above, neither he nor the dictionary were referring to plants
specifically. Amphibious means a lot more than just breathing, too. It also
defines vehicles that function on land, or in water. It is a *very* broad
definition. Your usage narrows the definition to one that is definitely not
in common usage, even in my college biology classes.

Jim.