sub-aquaadv.adj.n.
/ˌsʌbˈakwə/, U.S. /ˌsəbˈɑkwə/ A. adv.
Below the surface of the water; = underwater adj. 1. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > liquid > condition of being or making wet > condition of being submerged or action of submerging > [adverb]
afloat1591
sub-aqua1830
under1830
1830 United Service Jrnl. 20 Aug. 168 The uncouth monster, who soundly reposed (no doubt after his fatigue and repletion sub aqua) with the utmost tranquility.
1865 Turf, Field & Farm 16 Sept. 101 The graceful swan,..envelopes himself sub aqua for a brief period.
1917 Chicago Tribune 15 May ii. 1/3 (heading) Pastor didn't kiss sub aqua, flock decides... A resolution..declaring the Rev. Francis R. Godolphin, their rector, innocent of the accusation of having collaborated with Mrs. Irene Goodspeed in the invention of the ‘submarine kiss’.
B. adj.
1. Designating something below the surface of the water; subaquatic; = underwater adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > liquid > water > [adjective] > existing, situated, or formed under water
underwater1627
subaqueous1677
subteraqueous1682
subaquatic1750
subteraquean1753
subaquean1782
sub-water1865
sub-aqua1871
1871 Colburn's United Service Mag. May 113 Her [sc. a gunboat's] whole weight..is brought to bear, by means of a sub aqua, diamond-shaped steel point, upon her adversaries [sic] side.
1929 Mason City (Iowa) Globe-Gaz. 29 Mar. 22/5 The beautiful shell and rock formations of the sub aqua fairyland.
1966 Boston Globe 30 July 6/7 (poem) The moat..With sub-aqua illumination, Reflects a rainbow of colors.
2008 N.Y. Times Mag. 3 Feb. 77/1 (advt.) The vision includes an underwater restaurant, where visitors will be able to dine while viewing sub-aqua wonders.
2. British. Of or relating to the activity of swimming underwater with breathing apparatus, esp. as a sport or recreation.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > progressive motion > moving with current of air or water > movement in or on water > [adjective] > underwater swimming
skin-diving1951
sub-aqua1953
scuba-diving1962
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > water sports except racing > skin-diving > [adjective] > using specific equipment
sub-aqua1953
scuba-diving1962
1953 Observer 29 Nov. 2/6 The British Sub-Aqua Club..formed to encourage more people to let the fish see them.
1959 Listener 8 Jan. 67/3 The ‘sub-aqua-jet’ which provides motive power for an under-water swimmer.
1962 Underwater Swimming (‘Know the Game’ Ser.) 3/1 The formation of sub-aqua clubs throughout the country.
1978 Times 14 July 26/3 Sub-aqua diving is one of the country's leading growth sports.
2010 M. Bagshaw Slow N. Yorks. vii. 169 Small boats anchored just offshore here may be carrying sub-aqua divers visiting the wreck of the Rohilla.
C. n.
British. The sport or activity of swimming underwater with breathing apparatus; scuba diving.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > progressive motion > moving with current of air or water > movement in or on water > [noun] > underwater swimming
urination1697
diving1743–5
skin-diving1905
free-diving1948
scuba1952
aqualunging1953
goggle-diving1953
sub-aqua1957
snorkelling1959
scuba-diving1962
saturation diving1965
saturated diving1967
scubaing1973
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > water sports except racing > skin-diving > [noun]
skin-diving1905
skin dive1936
free-diving1948
aqualunging1953
goggle-dive1953
sub-aqua1957
snorkelling1959
scuba-diving1962
scubaing1973
scuba1975
1957 Manch. Guardian 13 July 9/7 4 20: Cricket. 4 40: Sub-Aqua. 4 50: Athletics.
1976 Milton Keynes Express 1 June 11/2 Saturday's attractions include demonstrations of..swimming, life-saving, sub aqua and weight-lifting.
2006 C. Day Ireland (Cadogan Guides) (ed. 6) 114/1 Many [sailing schools] offer other outdoor sports such as boardsailing.., canoeing and sub-aqua.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2012; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
adv.adj.n.1830