benthos

[ben-thos]

noun

the biogeographic region that includes the bottom of a lake, sea, or ocean, and the littoral and supralittoral zones of the shore.

Origin of benthos

1890–95; < Greek bénthos depth (of the sea); akin to bathos, bathy-

Also called benthic division, benthonic zone.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for benthos

benthos

benthon

noun

the animals and plants living at the bottom of a sea or lake

the bottom of a sea or lake

Derived Formsbenthic, benthal or benthonic, adjective

Word 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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for benthos

"life forms of the deep ocean and sea floor," 1891, coined by Haeckel from Greek benthos "depth of the sea," related to bathos "depth," bathys "deep," of unknown origin. Adjective benthic is attested from 1902.

benthos in Science

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.