anti-biofouling
|an-ti-bi-o-foul-ing|
🇺🇸
/ˌænti.baɪ.oʊˈfuːlɪŋ/
🇬🇧
/ˌænti.baɪəʊˈfuːlɪŋ/
preventing organisms attaching to surfaces
Etymology
'anti-biofouling' originates from English, formed by the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti' meaning 'against') combined with 'biofouling' (from prefix 'bio-' from Greek 'bios' meaning 'life' + English 'foul' meaning 'to make dirty or spoil').
'anti-biofouling' developed as a technical compound in maritime and aquatic engineering in the 20th century, combining 'anti-' + the newer compound 'biofouling' (which itself arose from 'bio-' + 'fouling'), and became the standard modern term for measures that prevent organism accumulation on surfaces.
Initially used specifically for measures against marine organism accumulation on ship hulls and structures, its usage has broadened to include coatings, materials, and technologies that prevent biological attachment in a variety of aquatic and industrial contexts.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a substance, coating, or technology used to prevent or reduce biofouling on surfaces.
Scientists tested a new anti-biofouling on hull samples to measure barnacle settlement.
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Adjective 1
designed to prevent biofouling: describing a material, coating, or method intended to stop the accumulation of organisms (e.g., barnacles, algae, bacteria) on surfaces, especially in marine environments.
The research team developed an anti-biofouling coating for offshore wind turbines.
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Last updated: 2025/10/29 12:12