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plankton

plankton

noun PLAHNGK-ton Rare

Origin: From Greek 'plankton', wandering, from 'plazesthai', to wander.

Usage Note

Plankton is invariable in Italian (no separate plural form). It is a collective noun referring to the mass of tiny organisms drifting in water. Grammatically it is masculine: il plankton. It is subdivided into fitoplancton (phytoplankton) and zooplancton (zooplankton) in scientific Italian.

Examples

"Il plankton è alla base della catena alimentare marina."

Natural Translation

Plankton is the basis of the marine food chain.

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