See Also: pelagic(medicine)
pelagic(dictionary)
pelagic(dictionary)

pelagic (iou)



pelagic adjective. M17.
[Latin pelagicus from Greek pelagikos, from pelagos level surface of the sea: see -IC.]
Of or pertaining to the open sea, as distinguished from the shallow water near the coast; oceanic. Now chiefly spec., living on or near the surface of the open sea or ocean, as distinguished from its depths; designating or inhabiting a part of the sea away from or independent of the littoral and benthic regions. M17.
Of sealing or whaling: performed on the open sea. L19.
Of seabed material: formed within the sea, not transported from the land. L19.
= LIMNETIC adjective. L19.
Of a (species of) bird: inhabiting the open sea beyond the continental shelf and returning to shore only to breed. M20.
pelagically adverb in pelagic regions M20.