submersion

[ suhb-mur-zhuhn, -shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of putting oneself or another person or thing under water or into some other enveloping medium:

   Swimmers in the class are taught submersion and breath holding, floating, and kicking.

   This durable tile is specially made to withstand submersion in swimming pools.

2. the act of subordinating or suppressing something:

   Critics talked about the film’s submersion of individual character within a vision of group solidarity.

Word History and Origins

Origin of submersion¹

First recorded in 1400–50; from Late Latin submersiōn-, stem of submersiō, also summersiō “a sinking,” from Latin submers(us) “sunk” (past participle of submergere “to dip under, immerse, sink”) + -iō -ion ( def )

Example Sentences

The illusionist even claims that one of the islands contains the fountain of youth, reviving dying insects upon submersion.

From The Daily Beast

But it was hardly rare—the kind of submersion we routinely see in flooded Mississippi River towns.

From The Daily Beast

But the submersion of the swallows under water does not rest upon his testimony alone.

From Project Gutenberg

Two reasons have, been adduced to prove this supposed submersion of swallows impossible.

From Project Gutenberg

Another argument against their submersion arises from the specific gravity of the animals themselves.

From Project Gutenberg

The screw is also completely covered by the water, and acts with comparative efficiency in consequence of its submersion.

From Project Gutenberg

Submersion in alcohol will prove a satisfactory method of killing these or other beetles with similar vitality.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• deluge
• flash flood
• overabundance
• torrent