Scuba

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈskuːbə/

Definitions

1. A method of diving that utilizes a self-contained breathing apparatus for exploring underwater ecosystems and environments
2. An activity that involves using specialized equipment to breathe while submerged, which allows one to investigate marine life and underwater terrain
3. A recreational sport using a self-contained breathing apparatus enables individuals to explore aquatic environments and observe underwater life

Etymology: Scuba is an acronym, built from the initial letters of "self-contained underwater breathing apparatus." Each part of that phrase is a plain English word with an ordinary history: "self" from Old English, "contained" from Latin "continere" through Old French, "underwater" from "under" and "water," and "breathing" from "breathe." The phrase describes a diver's equipment that carries its own air supply, so the diver does not depend on a hose from the surface. The acronym is a deliberate coinage, not a word that grew naturally from speech. Its letters line up to spell a short, pronounceable word, which is why it now sounds like an ordinary noun. The Oxford English Dictionary and other standard references treat it as a newer formation, and the word has since been used so widely that most speakers no longer think of it as a set of initials. Because it is an acronym, "scuba" is usually written in lowercase today, and it can be used as a common noun for the gear or for the activity of diving with it.

Synonyms: diving equipment, underwater gear, breathing apparatus, snorkeling gear, submersible gear