Ocean

Ocean, ō′shan, n. the vast expanse of salt water that covers the greater part of the surface of the globe: one of its five great divisions (Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Arctic, Antarctic): any immense expanse or vast quantity.—adj. pertaining to the great sea.—n. O′cean-bā′sin, the depression of the earth's surface in which the waters of an ocean are contained.—adjs. Ocean′ian, pertaining to Oceania, which includes Polynesia, Micronesia, Melanesia, Australasia, and Malaysia; Ocean′ic, pertaining to the ocean: found or formed in the ocean or high seas, pelagic: wide like the ocean.—ns.pl. Ocean′ic-is′lands, islands far from the mainland, situated in the midst of the ocean; Ocean′ides, marine molluscs or sea-shells.—ns. O′cean-lane (see Lane); Oceanog′rapher, one versed in oceanography.—adj. Oceanograph′ic.—ns. Oceanog′raphy, the scientific description of the ocean; Oceanol′ogy, the science of the ocean: a treatise on the ocean. [Fr.,—L. oceanus—Gr. ōkeanos, perh. from ōkys, swift.]