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A.Word.A.Day--hadal

hadal (HAYD-l) adjective

Of or relating to the deepest regions of the ocean, below about 6,000 meters (20,000 feet).

[French, from Hades, from Greek Haides, the god of the netherworld and dispenser of earthly riches, his netherworld kingdom, the abode of the shades of the dead.]

"The bottoms beneath the high seas at depths of about 6,000 to 18,000 feet (1,800-5,500 meters) are referred to as the abyssal region. These regions are characterized by a temperature that seldom exceeds 4 deg. C. A second term, the hadal region, is used in connection with the still-deeper waters of the oceanic trenches." Jack Pearce, Marine Biology, Colliers Encyclopedia CD-ROM, 28 Feb 1996.

This week's theme: eponyms.

(I'll be in India through the end of January, 1999, and will not be checking my email. AWAD will continue during this time. Happy holidays and a blissful new year to all of you. -Anu)

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