bathyal
|bath-i-al|
/ˈbæθiəl/
deep mid-ocean zone
Etymology
'bathyal' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'bathys', where 'bathys' meant 'deep'. The English adjective-forming suffix '-al' (via New Latin/Modern scientific usage) was added to form 'bathyal'.
'bathys' (Greek) gave the combining form 'bathy-' in scientific New Latin/Modern scientific vocabulary; from this combining form the English term 'bathyal' was formed in the 19th century to refer to the deep-sea zone and related features.
Initially the root 'bathys' simply meant 'deep'; over time the combined form 'bathyal' evolved into a technical term denoting a specific mid-depth oceanic zone (and adjectival sense 'of that zone').
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the bathyal zone or a region/organism of that zone: the deep-sea area of the ocean between the continental shelf (shelf break) and the abyssal zone, roughly 200–2000 m below sea level.
Many species unique to the bathyal have adaptations to low light and high pressure.
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Adjective 1
relating to or inhabiting the bathyal zone; of the depths characteristic of the bathyal region of the ocean.
Researchers studied bathyal fish communities along the continental slope.
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Last updated: 2026/01/10 13:13