oceanic

[oh-shee-an-ik] /ˌoʊ ʃiˈæn ɪk/
adjective
1.
of, living in, or produced by the ocean:
oceanic currents.
2.
of or pertaining to the region of water lying above the bathyal, abyssal, and hadal zones of the sea bottom.
Compare neritic, pelagic.
3.
immensely large; vast:
an oceanic expanse of stars.
4.
(initial capital letter) of or pertaining to Oceania, its peoples, or their languages.
Origin
1650-60; < Medieval Latin ōceanicus, equivalent to Latin ōcean(us) ocean + -icus -ic
Related forms
preoceanic, adjective
unoceanic, adjective
Examples from the web for oceanic
  • Therefore, the pattern of oceanic winds should matter a lot to their survival, especially during breeding season.
  • The theory is that volcanic eruptions beneath the ocean create new oceanic crust, which then moves away from the ridge.
  • Island-arc volcanoes occur at subduction zones, where two oceanic plates collide and one is pushed under the other.
  • On a more general note, trans oceanic freight is a huge industry and for good reason.
  • Each country pay into oceanic fish breeding centers.
  • Once again, atmospheric and oceanic processes act to alleviate such imbalances.
  • Hydrothermal vents occur at oceanic ridges where brand-new seafloor emerges from the ductile depths of the mantle.
  • Likewise, the sheer number of oceanic compounds yet to be explored would overwhelm human lab technicians.
  • They've already started considering many other types of geoengineering, from artificial trees to oceanic plankton.
  • The enclosure creates a kind of oceanic lake, sheltered on all sides from strong currents.
British Dictionary definitions for oceanic

oceanic

/ˌəʊʃɪˈænɪk/
adjective
1.
of or relating to the ocean
2.
living in the depths of the ocean beyond the continental shelf at a depth exceeding 200 metres: oceanic fauna
3.
huge or overwhelming
4.
(of geological formations) of volcanic origin, arising from the ocean: oceanic islands

Oceanic

/ˌəʊʃɪˈænɪk/
noun
1.
a branch, group, or subfamily of the Malayo-Polynesian family of languages, comprising Polynesian and Melanesian
adjective
2.
of, relating to, or belonging to this group of languages
3.
of or relating to Oceania
Word Origin and History for oceanic
adj.

1650s, probably from French océanique, from océan (see ocean).

oceanic in Science
oceanic
  (ō'shē-ān'ĭk)   

  1. Relating to the ocean.

  2. Relating to the ocean waters that lie beyond the continental shelf and exceed 200 m (656 ft) in depth. Compare neritic. See more at epipelagic zone.