freshwater
UK: ˈfrɛʃˌwɔːtə | US: ˈfrɛʃˌwɔːtər
adj. relating to or living in water that is not salty
n. water that is not salty, such as that found in lakes, rivers, and streams
The word "freshwater" is a straightforward compound of "fresh" (from Old English fersc, meaning "not salt" or "pure") and "water" (from Old English wæter). The term emerged in Middle English to distinctly describe bodies of water lacking salinity, contrasting with "saltwater." Its logical construction reflects the direct combination of two elemental concepts—purity ("fresh") and the essential substance ("water").
The lake is a thriving habitat for freshwater fish.
Many amphibians rely on freshwater ecosystems to survive.
The village gets its drinking supply from a freshwater spring.
Freshwater pearls are cultivated in rivers and lakes.
Pollution threatens the biodiversity of freshwater environments.