mare clausum

noun

ma·​re clau·​sum ˈmär-(ˌ)ā-ˈklau̇-səm How to pronounce mare clausum (audio) -ˈklȯ- How to pronounce mare clausum (audio)
: a navigable body of water (such as a sea) that is under the jurisdiction of one nation and is closed to other nations

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, literally, closed sea

First Known Use

1652, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mare clausum was in 1652

Dictionary Entries Near mare clausum

Cite this Entry

“Mare clausum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mare%20clausum. Accessed 21 Mar. 2023.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!


What Did You Just Call Me?

  • brown chihuahua sitting on the floor with squinting eyes looking at the camera
  • Before we went to her house, Hannah told us her aunt was a flibbertigibbet.
Name That Thing

You know what it looks like… but what is it called?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY