Euxinic Definition

yo͝ok-sĭnĭk
adjective
Having a high concentration of hydrogen sulfide and no oxygen. Used of aquatic environments.
American Heritage

Origin of Euxinic

  • From Latin (Pontus) Euxīnus the Black Sea (since the deeper waters of the Black Sea constitute such an environment) from Greek (Pontos) Euxeinos literally, hospitable (sea) perhaps a euphemism for earlier (Pontos) Axeinos inhospitable (sea) (a- not) (xenos, xeinos guest, stranger xeno-) perhaps a folk etymology of a name of Scythian origin Avestan axšaēna- dark-colored, blue

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition