benthos
[ ben-thos ]
/ ˈbɛn θɒs /
noun
the biogeographic region that includes the bottom of a lake, sea, or ocean, and the littoral and supralittoral zones of the shore.
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Also called benthic division, benthonic zone .
Words nearby benthos
bent grass, Bentham, Benthamism, benthic, benthon, benthos, Bentinck, bentiromide, bentiromide test, Bentley, bento
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
British Dictionary definitions for benthos
benthos
benthon
/ (ˈbɛnθɒs) /
noun
the animals and plants living at the bottom of a sea or lake
the bottom of a sea or lake
Derived forms of benthos
benthic, benthal or benthonic, adjectiveWord Origin for benthos
C19: from Greek: depth; related to bathus deep
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Scientific definitions for benthos
benthos
[ bĕn′thŏs′ ]
The bottom of a sea or lake.
The organisms living on sea or lake bottoms. The benthos are divided into sessile organisms (those that are attached to the bottom or to objects on or near the bottom) and vagrant organisms (those that crawl or swim along the bottom). Compare nekton plankton. See more at epifauna infauna.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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