sublittoral

1 of 2

adjective

sub·​lit·​to·​ral ˌsəb-ˈli-tə-rəl 

ˌsəb-ˌli-tə-ˈral,

-ˈräl

1

: situated, occurring, or formed on the aquatic side of a shoreline or littoral zone

2

: constituting the sublittoral

sublittoral

2 of 2

noun

: the deeper part of the littoral portion of a body of water

especially : the region in an ocean between the lowest point exposed by a low tide and the margin of the continental shelf

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1839, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1886, in the meaning defined above