Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
noun, plural a·quar·i·ums, a·quar·i·a [uh–kwair-ee-uh] /əˈkwɛər i ə/.
- a glass-sided tank, bowl, or the like, in which fish or other living aquatic animals or plants are kept.
- a building or institution in which fish or other aquatic animals or plants are kept for exhibit, study, etc.
noun plural -riums or -ria (-rɪə)
- a tank, bowl, or pool in which aquatic animals and plants are kept for pleasure, study, or exhibition
- a building housing a collection of aquatic life, as for exhibition
1830, noun use of neuter of Latin aquarius “pertaining to water,” as a noun, “water-carrier,” genitive of aqua “water” (see aqua-). The word existed in Latin, but there it meant “drinking place for cattle.” Originally especially for growing aquatic plants; An earlier attempt at a name for “fish tank” was marine vivarium.