anchialine

adjective

an·​chia·​line ˈaŋ-kē-ə-ˌlīn 

-lən

: having an underground connection to a larger tidal body (such as the sea) but no surface connection

anchialine pools

Located on an island in The Abacos, the fauna in this seawater-flooded anchialine cave is among the richest and most diverse in the world.

—Seed, June/July 2006

Word History

Etymology

Greek anchíalos "near the sea, sea-girt" (from anchí "near" + -alos, derivative of háls "sea") + -ine entry 1

First Known Use

1984, in the meaning defined above

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