abyssal
adjUK /əˈbɪs.l̩/ · US /əˈbɪs.l̩/
Etymology First attested in the 1690s. From Medieval Latin abyssalis, from Latin abyssus (“abyss”) + -alis (“-al”). Equivalent to abyss + -al.
1
Archaic Belonging to, or resembling, an abyss; unfathomable.
2
Geography, Natural sciences Of or belonging to the ocean depths, especially below 2000 metres (6500 ft): abyssal zone.
- This "abyssal" life, typically in the form of strange tube-worms and microbes, is almost completely unknown to science.1994 November 15, The Canberra Times, Australian Captial Territory, page 11, column 6:
- "Ea", the beneficent god of earth and life, who dwelt in the abyssal waters, was shown with two streams running from his hands or shoulders[.]1998, John H. Roger, “Origins of the ancient constellations: I. The Mesopotamian traditions”, in Journal of the British Astronomy Association, volume 108, number 1, page 11, column 1:
4
Figuratively In the utter depths of despair; gloomy.
- In an attempt to avoid sliding into incorrigible despair, I abandon such abyssal and existential pondering and investigate the artist behind the work.1998 August 11, Tharunka, Kensington, page 35, column 1:
- Derived terms
- abyssalbenthic, abyssal blue, abyssal fish, abyssally, abyssalpelagic, abyssal plain, abyssal rock, abyssal zone, hypabyssal, hyperabyssal, hypoabyssal, nonabyssal
- Hypernyms
- benthic
- Coordinate terms
- sublittoral, bathyal, hadal