benthos
[ ben-thos ]
/ ˈbɛn θɒs /
noun
the biogeographic region that includes the bottom of a lake, sea, or ocean, and the littoral and supralittoral zones of the shore.
Also called
benthic division,
benthonic zone.
Words nearby benthos
bent out of shape,
bentham,
benthamism,
benthic,
benthon,
benthos,
bentinck,
bentiromide,
bentiromide test,
bentley,
bento
British Dictionary definitions for benthos
benthos
benthon
/ (ˈbɛnθɒs) /
noun
the animals and plants living at the bottom of a sea or lake
the bottom of a sea or lake
Derived forms of benthos
benthic, benthal or benthonic, adjectiveWord Origin for benthos
C19: from Greek: depth; related to
bathus deep
Scientific definitions for benthos
benthos
[ bĕn′thŏs′ ]
The bottom of a sea or lake.
The organisms living on sea or lake bottoms. The benthos are divided into sessile organisms (those that are attached to the bottom or to objects on or near the bottom) and vagrant organisms (those that crawl or swim along the bottom). Compare nekton plankton. See more at epifauna infauna.