n.
Pronunciation: ' pla ŋ (k)-t ə n, - ˌ tän
Function: noun
Etymology: German, from Greek, neuter of planktos drifting, from plazesthai to wander, drift, middle voice of plazein to drive astray; akin to Latin plangere to strike ― more at PLAINT
Date: 1891
: the passively floating or weakly swimming usually minute animal and plant life of a body of water
– plank · ton · ic \ pla ŋ (k)- ' tä-nik \ adjective