aquaticadj.n.
/əˈkwatɪk/, U.S. /əˈkwɑdɪk/, /əˈkwædɪk/ A. adj.† 1. Of or pertaining to water as a substance; watery, rainy. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > liquid > water > [adjective]
wateryeOE
aquatic1490
waterish1565
aquatical1603
aqueous1731
hygric1902
1490 W. Caxton tr. Eneydos xxiv. 91 The grete poundes and ryuers, alle thynges aquatyque.
1686 J. Goad Astro-meteorologica ii. vi. 289 We are troubled with Aquatique Signs.
2. Of or pertaining to water as a habitat or resort; esp.
a. of plants and animals: Living or growing in or near water.
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the world > animals > by habitat > [adjective] > aquatic
aquatic1642
water-breathing1827
nektonic1896
rheophile1934
rheophilic1939
rheophilous1941
the world > plants > by habitat or distribution > [adjective] > aquatic
waterya1382
subaquaneous1656
subaquatic1750
aquatic1794
demersed1866
pelagic1887
hydrophytic1901
hydrarch1913
1642 J. Howell Instr. Forreine Travell xv. 189 Jonas..was shut up in the body of that great (aquatique) beast.
1794 R. J. Sulivan View of Nature I. 200 The smaller seeds of terrestrial and aquatic plants.
1833 H. Martineau Charmed Sea i. 10 Aquatic birds on the opposite margin.
1867 F. Francis Bk. Angling vi. 179 Many spiders..lead an aquatic existence.
b. Pertaining to pastime in or upon the water.
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society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > water sports except racing > [adjective]
aquatic1866
1866 Reader 17 Mar. 277/3 The aspirant after aquatic fame.
1885 N.E.D. at Aquatic Mod. Aquatic sports.
B. n.
1. An aquatic plant or animal (archaic); a person given to aquatic pastimes.
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the world > animals > by habitat > [noun] > aquatic animal
fishc825
aquatic?c1600
water animal1603
aquatile1638
water breather1832
rheophile1939
the world > plants > by habitat or distribution > [noun] > aquatic plant
weedc1450
aquatic?c1600
river weed1633
aquatile1638
sea-plant1681
submarine1703
sea-buda1822
hydrophyte1832
rheophyte1899
submergent1942
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > water sports except racing > [noun] > participant
aquatic1815
?c1600 in W. Scott Antiquary xxx. Motto He tilted with a sword~fish—Marry, Sir, Th' aquatic had the best.
1669 J. Worlidge Kalendarium Rusticum in Systema Agric. 228 Osiers, Willows, and other Aquaticks.
1815 Ld. Campbell Let. 16 Jan. in Life (1881) I. xi. 313 Continue a determined aquatic [i.e. bather].
1859 F. E. Paget Curate of Cumberworth 70 A cartload of aquatics for her own pond.
1866 Reader 17 Mar. 277/2 With the applause of the thousands..ringing in his ears, the exultant aquatic, etc.
2. A water-drinker. rare.
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the world > food and drink > drink > drinking > [noun] > drinking water > person
water-lapper1614
aquabib1731
aquatica1790
a1790 B. Franklin Autobiogr. That the ‘American aquatic’, as they used to call me, was stronger than those who drank porter.
3. plural. Pastimes conducted in or upon the water.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > water sports except racing > [noun]
aquatics1865
1865 Daily Tel. 12 July 9/4 Aquatics—Amateur Championship of the Thames.
1866 Chambers's Jrnl. 31 Jan. 10/1 Come..and take an oar. Papa has gone wild on aquatics.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1885; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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adj.n.1490