natant

American  

[neyt-nt] / ˈneɪt nt /

adjective

1. swimming or floating.

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

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natant British  

/ ˈneɪtənt /

adjective

1. (of aquatic plants) floating on the water

2. rare floating or swimming

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Other Word Forms

• natantly adverb

Etymology

Origin of natant

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

Example Sentences

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

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

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