littoral Hear it!

littoral Definition

lit·to·ral (lit′ə rəl)

adjective

  1. of, on, or along the shore, esp. a seashore
  2. designating or of the intertidal ecological zone along the shore

Etymology: L litoralis < litus (gen. litoris), seashore, coast, prob. < IE *leitos < base *lei-, to flow > Welsh lli, sea, flood

noun

a region along the shore
littoral Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • drift: Quantitative analysis has been attempted by assuming littoral drift to be the minimum sediment volume required to explain observed beach volume trends.
  • sediment: A wide range of littoral sediments occurs within the estuary.
  • fringe: The most exposed open shores are dominated by the lichen Verrucaria maura in the littoral fringe.
  • zone: They are not often seen in the littoral zone except at the lowest of spring tides.
  • warfare: There is a movement toward the use of navies for increased maritime security and embracing the concept of littoral warfare.
  • pathway: Two distinct and divergent littoral drift pathways are recognized, with the divide located close to Solent Breezes.

Modifying Another Word

  • eastward: Wootton Creek therefore acts as a partial sediment sink, intercepting some of the eastward littoral drift, but allowing bypassing of the majority.