I.to swim or float in or upon (poet. and in post-Aug. prose).
I. Lit.
A. Homines flumini innatant, Plin. 8, 25, 38, § 93: “aquis pluma innatans,” id. 18, 35, 86, § 360: “lactuca innatat acri Post vinum stomacho ( = supernatat, non subsidet),” Hor. S. 2, 4, 59; cf.: “dulce (vinum) stomacho innatat, austerum facilius concoquitur,” Plin. 23, 1, 22, § 38.—
B. To swim or float into: “cum pisciculi parvi in concham hiantem innataverunt,” Cic. N. D. 2, 48, 123. —
2. To flow over, overflow: “Nilus fecundus innatat terrae,” Plin. 5, 9, 9, § 54; so, “innatat campis (Tiberis),” Plin. Ep. 8, 17, 2: “innatat unda freto dulcis,” the fresh water flows into the sea, Ov. P. 4, 10, 63.—
3. To swim or float among, to be intermingled with: “inter hos latent arteriae ... his innatant venae,” Plin. 11, 37, 89, § 219.—
II. Trop.
A. Innatans illa verborum facilitas, floating on the surface, superficial, Quint. 10, 7, 28; 7, 1, 44.—
