natant

[neyt-nt]

adjective

1. swimming or floating.

2. Botany.,  floating on water, as the leaf of an aquatic plant.

natant

/ ˈneɪtənt /

adjective

1. (of aquatic plants) floating on the water

2. rare,  floating or swimming

Other Word Forms

• natantly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of natant¹

First recorded in 1450–1500; from Latin natant- stem of natāns, present participle of natāre “to swim”; -ant

Word History and Origins

Origin of natant¹

C18: from Latin natāns, present participle of natāre to swim

Example Sentences

Then again, beneath the nearer tumult, this natant, ill rhythm died down to a measured, sinister moan, echoing through the stone corridors in soughing jabs, like sounds marking the visitation of some maimed Hydra.

From Project Gutenberg

The Latin sentence appears clearly to end with the word natant, as is not only the case in the St. John's MS., mentioned in MR.

From Project Gutenberg

She stood rigid, listening with a natant, sickening consciousness that something terrible hung at her back.

From Project Gutenberg