Iceland moss

American  

noun

1. an edible lichen, Cetraria islandica, of Arctic regions, containing a starchlike substance used in medicine.

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Iceland moss British  

noun

1. a lichen, Cetraria islandica, of arctic regions and N Europe, with brownish edible fronds

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Etymology

Origin of Iceland moss

First recorded in 1795–1805

Example Sentences

A drink of any mucilaginous, lubricating, and innocent substance may be given, such as mallows, linseed, Iceland moss, slippery elm.

From Project Gutenberg

Some of it is sent to other countries to use in medicine, and is known as Iceland moss.

From Project Gutenberg

HOTEL: Indigo PRODUCTS: H2O+ Bath Aquatics These products contain “watercress, Iceland moss and seaweed,” but you have to shake them like a maraca to get even a drop out of the hard-shelled plastic bottles.

From New York Times

He stretched and straightened his stiff old limbs, and once more buried in the pillows his weather-beaten, yellowish-grey face, covered with white stubble like granite with Iceland moss.

From Project Gutenberg

We fared well when fish were plenty, but at other times a porridge made of Iceland moss and the curdled milk made up our fare.

From Project Gutenberg