English Explanatory Dictionary

aquarium

English dictionary entry

Meanings

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

Pronunciation

ə-kwârʹē-əm /əˈkwɛɹ.i.jəm/ /-ɛɹiəm/ en-us-aquarium.ogg

Word forms

aquarium aquaria aquariums

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂ékʷeh₂ Proto-Italic *akʷā Latin aqua Proto-Indo-European *-yósder. Proto-Italic *-āsjos Latin -ārius Latin aquāriumbor. English aquarium 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.

Synonyms

fish tank

Derived words

aquariumlike boy aquarium Macquarium nonaquarium seaquarium submarium
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