in-năto, āvi, ātum, 1, v. a., 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.—
β With acc.: undam innatat alnus, swims the stream , Verg. G. 2, 451.—
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.—
B Of the hair, to float or flow : tenui vagus innatat undā Crinis, Val. Fl. 3, 525.