littoral

[ lit-er-uhl ]

adjective

1. of or relating to the shore of a lake, sea, or ocean.
2. (on ocean shores) of or relating to the biogeographic region between the sublittoral zone and the high-water line and sometimes including the supralittoral zone above the high-water line.
3. of or relating to the region of freshwater lake beds from the sublittoral zone up to and including damp areas on shore. Compare intertidal.

noun

1. a littoral region.

littoral

/ ˈlɪtərəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to the shore of a sea, lake, or ocean
2. biology inhabiting the shore of a sea or lake or the shallow waters near the shore

   littoral fauna

noun

1. a coastal or shore region

littoral

/ lĭt′ər-əl /

1. Relating to the coastal zone between the limits of high and low tides. The littoral zone is subject to a wide range of environmental conditions, including high-energy wave action and intermittent periods of flooding and drying along with the associated fluctuations in exposure to solar radiation and extremes of temperature.
2. Compare sublittoral

Word History and Origins

Origin of littoral¹

First recorded in 1650–60; from Latin littorālis, variant of lītorālis “of the shore,” equivalent to lītor- (stem of lītus ) “shore” + -ālis, adjective suffix; -al ¹( def ); Lido ( def ), lido ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of littoral¹

C17: from Late Latin littorālis, from lītorālis, from lītus shore

Example Sentences

ASW assets and crews have been diverted to reconnaissance missions in overland and littoral wars.

From The Daily Beast

But the real winners here are not likely to be the largely suburban masses but a new, heavily urban littoral ruling class.

From The Daily Beast

The new Divisions will find the Mudros littoral on arrival better prepared for their reception than it was a month ago.

From Project Gutenberg

Mexican national life has not developed much upon the littoral.

From Project Gutenberg

And fine as it is on the strong coast, it is beautiful on the weak littoral and the imperilled levels of a northern beach.

From Project Gutenberg

Nor would it be easy to imagine, from the point of view of defense, either a bay of littoral with greater natural advantages.

From Project Gutenberg

In general, the main strife may be said to have been waged between the provinces of the littoral and those of the Far West.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• aquatic
• coastal
• deep-sea
• maritime
• naval
• saltwater
• seagoing