spanipelagic

adjective spani·pelagic \ ¦spanə+ \

Definition of spanipelagic

of plankton

: living in deep water and coming to the surface rarely — compare autopelagic

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Origin and Etymology of spanipelagic

International Scientific Vocabulary spani- (from Greek spanios rare, scarce) + pelagic; originally formed as German spanipelagisch; perhaps akin to Greek span to draw, pull, tear