oceano-, ocean- +

(Greek > Latin: "the great river encompassing the whole earth"; hence, the "great Outward Sea" [as opposed to the "Inward" or Mediterranean]; the ocean)

Oceanian (s) (noun), Oceanians (pl)
A person from Oceania: Tom's uncle is an Oceanian because he was born in Polynesia.
oceanic (adjective), more oceanic, most oceanic
1. Of or relating to the ocean: Oceanic trenches, which fall abruptly down to a maximum of about 35,000 feet below the surface of the sea, are considered to be the deepest waters that exist.
2. Produced by or living in an ocean, especially in the open ocean: Oceanic, or pelagic sharks, roam across open seas rather than in shallow coastal waters.
3. A reference to that portion of the open ocean beyond the continental shelf waters: It is believed that the oceanic islands are volcanic.
4. Resembling an ocean in expanse; vast: Mary and Tom were dreaming about their own home and garden with plenty of space, and it turned out to have oceanic dimentions!
oceanic climate (s) (noun), ocean climates (pl)
A weather characteristic of continental margins and islands; marine climate: Maritime or oceanic climate is the Köppen categorization of weather conditions of those west coasts that show the annual temperature range of less than the average for that latitude because of the proximity of an ocean or sea.
oceanic eddy (s) (noun), oceanic eddies (pl)
A body of water rotating within the main current system: An oceanic eddy can deflect from the main current into adjacent areas.
oceanic island (s) (noun), oceanic islands (pl)
A volcanic land mass surrounded by water which is formed independently of the continental land masses: Examples of oceanic islands are the Aleutian Islands and the Mariana Islands in the Pacific Ocean.
Oceanid (s) (noun), Oceanides; Oceanids (pl)
In Greek mythology, one of the 3,000 sea nymphs believed to be the daughters of the Titan Oceanus and his wife Tethys: Phaethon is supposed to be the son of the Oceanid Clymene and Helios, the solar deity.

Each of these nymphs was the patroness of a particular spring, river, ocean, lake, pond, pasture, flower, or cloud.

oceanodromous (adjective), more oceanodromous, most oceanodromous
A reference to organisms that migrate only within the oceanic areas: Oceanodromous fish travel or swim from one salt water sea to another in search of food or because of spawning.

One example of such oceanodromous fish is the Bluefin Tuna which is extremely vulnerable to present day fishing techniques.

oceanograph (s) (noun), oceanographs (pl)
A written description of the physical and biological aspects of the oceans: An oceanograph points out such features found in the chemistry, the geology, and the biology of the seas.
oceanographer (s) (noun), oceanographers (pl)
A person who studies and writes about the oceans: As an oceanographer and scientist, Jim's aunt did research on the physical and biological aspects of the seas.
oceanographic (adjective) (not comparable)
Relating to the science that deals with the oceans: Oceanographic research includes the delimitation of the extent and depth of the seas, the physics and chemistry of their waters, marine biology, and the exploitations of their resources.
oceanography (s) (noun) (no pl)
1. The branch of science dealing with the written descriptions of the physical and biological aspects of the oceans: Alice decided to study oceanography because she loved the seas and wanted to learn more about them.
2. The scientific study of all aspects of the world's oceans: Oceanography includes the physical and chemical properties, biology (plants and animals), or life forms, the geological framework, and physical processes, such as the motion of ocean waters.

Physical oceanography normally includes the study of water properties, such as temperature, salinity, density and pressure, and the transmission of electrical, optical, and acoustical stimuli in the oceans.

Biological oceanography applies to the study of all flora and fauna and their ecological adjustments and life cycles in the oceans. Geological oceanography is also concerned with the character of the ocean basins and their rocks and marine sediments.

oceanologist (s) (noun), oceanologists (pl)
An individual who specializes in the scientific study of oceans: Tom, an oceanologist, did research on the life that inhabits the seas and the physical characteristics of the seas, including the depth and extent of sea waters, their movement and chemical makeup, and the topography and composition of the sea floors.
oceanology (s) (noun) (no pl)
1. The branch of oceanography that deals with how oceans may be used for economic or technological purposes: In his science book, Bill learned about how oceanology involved financial trade among nations as well as the biological aspects of sea life.
2. The explorations and scientific studies of all aspects of the ocean: Oceanology includes geophysical phenomena, underseas exploration, and oceanography.
oceanophilous (adjective) (not comparable)
In biology, referring to living things that dwell and thrive in oceanic habitats: Oceanophilous flora and fauna are those that exist in the seas of the world.
oceanophyte (s) (noun), oceanophytes (pl)
An oceanic plant or plant life which exists in oceans: Ruth was so happy when she finally received her book about oceanophytes with important data and information which she could use for her term paper.

Additional information at "Oceanic Sounds in a Realm of Silence".


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); pelago- (sea, ocean); plankto- (drifting); thalasso- (sea, ocean).

Cross references of word families that are related directly, or indirectly, to: "river, stream": amni-; fluvio-; meand-; potamo-; ripari-.