submersible
suhb-MUR-suh-buhl
/səbˈmɜːr.sə.bəl/
A small watercraft designed to operate underwater, often supported by a surface vessel.
Differs from a submarine because a submersible usually lacks full independence and needs a mother ship for transport and recharging.
The story behind the word. Combines Latin sub- (under) with mergere (to sink or dip). It entered modern English technical usage as underwater research technology developed.
Word relationships
- underwater vehicle: Underwater vehicle is a generic term that includes torpedoes and drones, whereas submersible implies a specialized research vessel.
Commonly confused with
- submarine: A submarine is an independent ship that can travel long distances; a submersible has limited power and relies on a surface ship.
Word family
- submerge (verb): To plunge under water.
- submersion (noun): The act of dipping or plunging under water.
Collocations
- deep-sea submersible
- manned submersible
- robotic submersible
- launch a submersible
Example sentences
- "Scientists boarded the deep-sea submersible to inspect hydrothermal vents thousands of meters below surface level." Ocean exploration
Memory hook
SUB (under) + MERGE (plunge): a vessel designed to plunge under the sea. Research vessel operating underwater.
When not to use
Do not call large naval military submarines submersibles.
Fun facts
- The deep-sea submersible Alvin has completed over 5,000 dives and helped locate the wreck of the Titanic in 1986.
Related words
Explore more words
submarine, submerge, amphibious, vessel, subsist, hydroelectric
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