aquarium

See also: Aquarium and aquàrium

English

Etymology

    Borrowed from Latin aquārium, neuter of aquārius (of or pertaining to water), from aqua +‎ -arium. Doublet of ewer; see also Aquarius. Also claimed to be coined by English naturalist Philip Henry Gosse, as a blend of aquatic +‎ vivarium.[1]

    Pronunciation

    • (General American) enPR: ə-kwârʹē-əm, IPA(key): /əˈkwɛɹ.i.jəm/, /-ɛɹiəm/
    • Audio (US):(file)

    Noun

    aquarium (plural aquaria or aquariums)

    1. A tank, often made of glass, for keeping live fish or other aquatic animals.
      Synonym: (informal) fish tank
    2. A public place where live fish and other aquatic animals are exhibited.

    Usage notes

    The plural aquaria is generally considered more formal than aquariums.

    Derived terms

    Translations

    References

    1. ^ “World's first aquarium”, in London Zoo[1], London Zoo, (Can we date this quote?), archived from the original on 5 April 2024

    Further reading

    Dutch

    Etymology

    Borrowed from Latin aquārium. Influenced by English aquarium. Doublet of aker.

    Pronunciation

    • IPA(key): /aːˈkʋaː.ri.ʏm/
    • Audio:(file)
    • Hyphenation: aqua‧ri‧um
    • Rhymes: -aːriʏm

    Noun

    aquarium n (plural aquaria or aquariums, diminutive aquariumpje n)

    1. aquarium
    2. (obsolete) water basin, water tank

    Derived terms

    • zeeaquarium

    French

    Etymology

    Borrowed from Latin aquārium. Doublet of évier.

    Pronunciation

    • IPA(key): /a.kwa.ʁjɔm/
    • Audio:(file)
    • Homophone: aquariums

    Noun

    aquarium m (plural aquariums)

    1. aquarium
    2. (slang) a clambake (an instance of smoking in an enclosed space)

    Further reading

    Latin

      Pronunciation

      Adjective

      aquārium

      1. nominative neuter singular of aquārius

      References