demersal

adjective

de·mer·sal di-ˈmər-səl

: living near, deposited on, or sinking to the bottom of the sea

demersal fish eggs

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The muscles of European sea bass contain little plastic, but the stomachs of British demersal sharks contain significant quantities. —

Rafil Kroll-zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 15 Sep. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'demersal.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Latin demersus (past participle of demergere to sink, from de- + mergere to dip, sink) + English -al entry 1 — more at merge

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of demersal was in 1889

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Demersal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/demersal. Accessed 7 Feb. 2023.

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