epifauna

noun

epi·​fau·​na ˌe-pi-ˈfȯ-nə How to pronounce epifauna (audio)
-ˈfä-
: benthic fauna living on the substrate (such as a hard sea floor) or on other organisms compare infauna
epifaunal adjective

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

circa 1914, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of epifauna was circa 1914

Dictionary Entries Near epifauna

Cite this Entry

“Epifauna.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/epifauna. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on epifauna

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!