a. [Cf. F. subaquatique.]
1. [SUB- 1 a.] = SUBAQUEOUS 1. Also, pertaining to plants growing under water.
1789. E. Darwin, Bot. Gard., II. 146, note. The subaquatic leaves of this plant … are cut into fine divisions. Ibid. (1800), Phytol., 76. The roots of … water-plants, which might … become articles of subaquatic agriculture.
1828. Blackw. Mag., XXIV. 316. Subaquatic paths for crossing the Nile.
1849. Sk. Nat. Hist., Mammalia, III. 111. Tearing up the strong-fibred vegetables from their subaquatic bed by means of its tusks.
1874. Coues, Birds N. W., 11. Ability to progress under water … by a sort of subaquatic flying and scrambling.
2. [SUB- 20 c.] Zool. and Bot. Partly aquatic.
1844. H. Stephens, Bk. Farm, I. 483. Subaquatic plants, such as rushes.
1880. A. R. Wallace, Isl. Life, II. xlii. 268. The large number of allied forms [sc. tortoises] which have aquatic or sub-aquatic habits. Ibid. (1889), Darwinism, 29. A large sub-aquatic dock.
