demersal

[ dih-mur-suhl ]

adjective

1. living or found near or in the deepest part of a body of water.
2. sinking to or deposited on the bottom of a body of water.

demersal

/ dɪˈmɜːsəl /

adjective

1. living or occurring on the bottom of a sea or a lake

   demersal fish

Word History and Origins

Origin of demersal¹

First recorded in 1885–90; from Latin dēmersus, past participle of dēmergere “to sink, submerge, bury” + -al ¹( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of demersal¹

C19: from Latin dēmersus submerged (from dēmergere to plunge into, from mergere to dip) + -al ¹

Example Sentences

“We’ve been sold out,” said David Stevens, 46-year-old skipper of the 24.5 metre Crystal Sea twin-rig demersal trawler.

From Reuters

“These would be in demersal and pelagic stocks.”

From Reuters

Demersal shelf rockfish and yelloweye rockfish fisheries in southeast Alaska are included in the ban, the fish and game department said.

From Seattle Times

Therefore, the reported differences between terrestrial and marine animals might be better framed as differences between terrestrial species, which are able to access thermal refuges, and demersal marine species, which are not.

From Nature

Because pelagic species can access cooler waters, their thermal safety margins are probably greater than those of demersal species.

From Nature