▪ I. natatory, n.
(ˈneɪtətərɪ)
[In sense 1, ad. late L. natātōrium n., neut. of natātōrius: see next.]
† 1. A swimming-bath, pool. Obs.
| c 1400 Mandeville (1839) viii. 93 Also streghte from Natatorie Siloe, is an Ymage of Ston. 1653 Urquhart Rabelais i. lv, On the out-side were placed the tilt-yard,..the theater.., and Natatorie or place to swim in. |
2. An organ used in swimming.
| 1852 Dana Crust. ii. 878 The abdominal natatories are very small. |
▪ II. natatory, a.
(ˈneɪtətərɪ)
[ad. late L. natātōrius: see natation and -ory.]
1. Of organs: Adapted for or used in swimming or floating.
| 1799 Brit. Critic XIII. 212 When they feel the necessity of sleep, their natatory bladder is much inflated. 1835 Kirby Hab. & Inst. Anim. I. vi. 197 It is said that they can render themselves heavy or light at pleasure, which some effect by means of a natatory vesicle. 1859 Darwin Orig. Spec. xiv. (1873) 389 They have six pairs of beautifully constructed natatory legs. 1878 Bell Gegenbaur's Comp. Anat. 416 The natatory membrane of many Reptiles. |
2. Of or belonging to swimming.
| 1836 E. Howard R. Reefer xix, I perfected my natatory studies (affected phraseology is the fashion). 1863 G. Kearley Links in Chain vii. 154 They are enabled to perform a sort of natatory movement. 1885 Graphic 24 Jan. 90/3 He had confidence in his own natatory skill. |
3. Characterized by swimming.
| 1887 E. D. Cope Orig. Fittest 278 There is little doubt that the natatory Sirenian order was derived from it by a process of degradation. 1895 ‘Q.’ (Quiller Couch) Wandering Heath 95 Nereus..With his natatory daughters. |