planktonic

adj

Etymology: From plankton + -ic, after German planktonisch. From Ancient Greek πλαγκτόν (planktón, “drifting”), neuter nominative of πλαγκτός (planktós), from πλάζομαι (plázomai, “to wander, drift”), from πλάζω (plázō, “to cause to wander, drive astray”).

1. Of or pertaining to plankton.

   “Tiny shells of planktonic animals rain down from the surface waters of the ocean on to the deep sea-floor.”

2. Floating in the open sea rather than living on the seafloor.