free-swimming

[ free-swim-ing ]

adjective

, Zoology.

1. (of aquatic organisms) not attached to a base nor joined in a colony; capable of swimming about freely.

free-swimming

adjective

1. (of aquatic animals or larvae) not sessile or attached to any object and therefore able to swim freely in the water

Derived Forms

• ˌfree-ˈswimmer, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of free-swimming¹

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

With but few exceptions sponges live in salt water and are never free swimming.

From Project Gutenberg

The first point in the development of Sycandra which deserves notice is the character of the free swimming larva.

From Project Gutenberg

At first they are little free-swimming creatures, feeding on foraminifers and other minute organisms that float about in the sea.

From Project Gutenberg

The same family contains the beautiful violet Ianthina, which also is not a British species, but a free-swimming oceanic snail.

From Project Gutenberg

Through these the eggs are discharged into the water, where they become free-swimming larv, called Pluteus.

From Project Gutenberg