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Glite Dictionary
aphotic

aphotic

1 9.9
A place that has no light, like deep ocean zones
  • adjective
  • /əˈfoʊtɪk/
  • Specialized
: afótico
  • The aphotic layer of the ocean is characterized by its total absence of light, making it inhospitable for photosynthetic organisms.

Examples

  • "Survival and desire amalgamated "and turned an aphotic eye inward.

    Miller's Girl (2024)

  • In the deep ocean, the aphotic zone is home to many creatures that thrive without sunlight.

  • Sinking fluxes to the aphotic zone were determined with sediment traps suspended at the bottom of the trophogenic zone (20 m).

    Academic text (1999)

  • The very best is to adhere to these people inside the wardrobe, alluringly within an aphotic abode on a cedar hanger.

    Blog text (9)

  • Scientists study the aphotic regions of the ocean to understand how life exists in complete darkness.

Antonyms

lit
171 1.0

Having enough light to see easily

illuminated
17 4.2

Lit up by electric lights so it can be seen at night

How Bright

well-lighted
3 2.6
dim
74 1.0
dark
∞ 1.0
aphotic
  • Specialized
1 9.9
pitch-black
23 3.4

Surface Forms

aphotic positive

Morphology

aphotic = photic (semi-transparent) = a + phot + ic

For someone who knows the scientific adjective 'photic', the negative prefix gives the sense 'not lighted', but the base itself is specialized and not widely familiar to B1 learners.

Etymology

Aphotic comes from the Greek parts a- meaning 'not' and phot- meaning 'light', the same phot- you see in photo and photograph. So, aphotic describes places like deep ocean zones 'without light' where sunlight does not reach.