a. and sb. Also 5 aquatyque, 7 -ique. [a. F. aquatique, ad. L. aquāticus watery, living in water, f. aqua water: see -ATIC.]
A. adj.
† 1. Of or pertaining to water as a substance; watery, rainy. Obs.
1490. Caxton, Eneydos, xxiv. 91. The grete poundes and ryuers, alle thynges aquatyque.
1686. Goad, Celest. Bodies, II. vi. 289. We are troubled with Aquatique Signs.
2. Of or pertaining to water as a habitat or resort; esp. a. of plants and animals: Living or growing in or near water.
1642. Howell, For. Trav. (Arb.), 67. Jonas … was shut up in the body of that great (aquatique) beast.
1794. Sullivan, View Nat., I. 200. The smaller seeds of terrestrial and aquatic plants.
1833. Ht. Martineau, Charmed Sea, i. 10. Aquatic birds on the opposite margin.
1867. F. Francis, Angling, vi. (1880), 204. Many spiders … lead an aquatic existence.
b. Pertaining to pastime in or upon the water.
1866. Reader, 17 March, 277/3. The aspirant after aquatic fame.
Mod. Aquatic sports.
B. sb.
1. An aquatic plant or animal (arch.); a person given to aquatic pastimes.
c. 1600[?]. in Scott, Antiq., xxx. Motto, He tilted with a swordfish—Marry, Sir, Th’ aquatic had the best.
1669. Worlidge, Syst. Agric. (1681), 272. Osiers, Willows, and other Aquaticks.
1815. Ld. Campbell, Lett., in Life, I. 313. Continue a determined aquatic [i.e., bather].
1859. F. Paget, Curate Cumberw., 70. A cartload of aquatics for her own pond.
1866. Reader, 17 March, 277/2. With the applause of the thousands … ringing in his ears, the exultant aquatic [etc.].
2. A water-drinker. rare–1.
a. 1790. Franklin, Autobiog. That the ‘American aquatic,’ as they used to call me, was stronger than those who drank porter.
3. pl. Pastimes conducted in or upon the water.
1865. Daily Tel., 12 July, 9/4, heading. Aquatics. Amateur Championship of the Thames.
1866. Chamb. Jrnl., 31 Jan., 10/1. You must come and stay whenever you can, and take an oar. Papa has gone wild on aquatics.
