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nekton

(nek′tän′, nek′tən)

noun

the larger, aquatic, free-swimming animal life having movements that are largely independent of currents and waves, including squids, fishes, and whales

Origin: Ger < Gr nēkton, neut. of nēktos, swimming < nēchein, to swim: see natant

See nekton in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

The collection of marine and freshwater organisms that can swim freely and are generally independent of currents, ranging in size from microscopic organisms to whales.

Origin:

Origin: Greek nēkton

Origin: , neuter of nēktos, swimming

Origin: , from nēkhein, to swim; see snā- in Indo-European roots

Related Forms: