salinity
UK: səˈlɪnɪti | US: səˈlɪnɪti
n. the concentration of salt in a solution or body of water
n. the quality or state of being salty
salinity = salin<salt> + ity<noun suffix>
- salin (from Latin salinus, meaning "of or pertaining to salt," derived from sal "salt")
- ity (a noun-forming suffix indicating state or condition, from Latin -itas)
Etymology Origin:
The word "salinity" traces back to the Latin sal, meaning "salt," which is also the root of words like "saline" and "salary" (Roman soldiers were sometimes paid in salt). The suffix -ity was added in Late Latin to form abstract nouns describing states or qualities. Over time, "salinity" evolved in English to specifically describe the saltiness of water, particularly in oceanography and environmental science.
The salinity of the Dead Sea is so high that swimmers float effortlessly.
Scientists measure ocean salinity to study climate change effects.
High soil salinity can damage crops and reduce agricultural yields.
The estuary's salinity varies with the tides and freshwater input.
Marine organisms adapt to specific levels of salinity in their habitats.