thalasso-, thalass-, thalassi-, thalassio-, thalatto-, thalatt- +
Traditionally, there are five oceans: the Atlantic, the Pacific, the Indian, the Arctic, and the Antarctic. The Antarctic Ocean, lacking any precise natural boundaries, is sometimes considered an extension of the Atlantic, the Pacific, and the Indian oceans.
The adjacent bodies of salt water and various subdivisions of the oceans are generally known as seas, but local usage may also sanction such terms as gulfs, bays, channels, and straits; designations that are sometimes used interchangeably.
thalassocraton
(noun), thalassocratons
(pl)
A rather level and stable section of the sea floor: In 1955 the term
thalassocraton was introduced by the geologist R. Fairbridge in reference to the commencement of the study of the geology of the seas.
"Ocean plates" or thalassoplains" are other terms to describe the relatively unchanging ocean floors.
Thalassocratons do not include any mid-ocean ridges.
thalassographer
(s) (noun), thalassographers
(pl)
A person who is a specialist and examines large oceans, or smaller areas of water; oceanographer: Max's father was a thalassographer who occupied himself, sometimes even during the night, with all the aspects of the oceans and seas, including bays, sounds, and gulfs.
thalassographic, thalassographical
(adjective) (not comparable)
Relating to the study of oceanography: Tom wanted to do thalassographic research regarding smaller bodies of water, as well as oceans and seas.
thalassography
(s) (noun) (no pl)
1. The branch of physical geography that deals with the sea, its configuration and phenomena; oceanography: Since Doug was especially interested in all aspects of the oceans, he decided to study thalassography at the university.
2. The subdivision of oceanography that includes the areas of smaller bodies of water: Thalassography includes gulfs, bays, and sounds, which are not large areas of water as the seas.
Regarding freshwater organisms resembling, or originally, marine forms: Such thalassic or halolimnic creatures are modified or able to live in water that is not salty.
thalassomania
(s) (noun), thalassomanias
(pl)
An intense fascination with or interest in the sea: Having a condition of thalassomania, or an abnormal love of large bodies of water, Jane loved the ocean more than anything else, so she made sure that she always lived as close to the ocean as possible.
thalassometer
(s) (noun), thalassometers
(pl)
A tide gauge: In his oceanography class, Jim learned how to use a thalassometer in order to measure the rise and fall of the sea level at different times of the day.
thalassophile
(s) (noun), thalassophiles
(pl)
An individual who loves the ocean: Amanda's friends always called her a thalassophile because she was more than just fond of the sea, she loved the sea and was at the sea shore every afternoon!
thalassophilic
(adjective), more thalassophilic, most thalassophilic
In biology, relating to a preference for the sea or dwelling in the sea: In her biology class at school, Stella learned that there were uncountable thalassophilic organisms that thrived in the ocean.
thalassophobia
(s) (noun) (no plural)
An excessive aversion of the sea: Peter never liked going anywhere by boat because he had thalassophobia and was alarmed not only by the distance from land, but was also terrified of the waves, and the extensive emptiness of the ocean.
thalassophobic
(adjective), more thalassophobic, most thalassophobic
Regarding someone who has an excessive fear of very large bodies of water: Being a thalassophbobic person, Flora usually went by train when she was traveling, or by car, but never with a boat because she hated the huge waves and being so far away from land!
thalassoplankton
(s) (noun), thalassoplankton; thalassoplanktons
(pl)
Marine planktonic organisms: The small oceanic lifeform termed thalassoplankton occurs in the open sea.
thalassoposia
(s) (noun) (no pl)
The intake of sea water: Thalassoposia, or also termed mariposa, refers to the abnormal imbibition of ocean water caused by a psychological disorder.
thalassoseisma
(s) (noun) (no pl)
An earthquake at sea, or a "seaquake": A thalassoseisma, an obsolete term, is caused by a quake in the earth at the bed or bottom of a sea or ocean.
Relating to a lower portion of a river subject to tidal influences: A lower terrace in southern Germany next to the big rivers provides very fertile farmland. and were most likely attributed to tectonic or thalassostatic causes.
Inter-related cross references, directly or indirectly, involving the "sea" and the "ocean" bodies of water:
abysso- (bottomless);
Atlantic;
batho-, bathy- (depth);
bentho- (deep, depth);
halio-, halo- (salt or "the sea");
mare, mari- (sea);
necto-, nekto- (swimming);
oceano-;
pelago- (sea, ocean);
plankto- (drifting).
