anabaena

[ an-uh-bee-nuh ]

/ ˌæn əˈbi nə /

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noun

any of the freshwater algae of the genus Anabaena, commonly occurring in masses and often contaminating drinking water, giving it a fishy odor and taste.

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Origin of anabaena

<New Latin <Greek anabaín(ein) to go up (ana-ana- + baínein to go) + Latin -a-a²

Words nearby anabaena

Amythaon, amyxia, amyxorrhea, an, ana, anabaena, anabantid, Anabaptist, anabas, anabasine, anabasis

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British Dictionary definitions for anabaena

anabaena

/ (ˌænəˈbiːnə) /

noun plural -nas

any freshwater alga of the genus Anabaena, sometimes occurring in drinking water, giving it a fishy taste and smell

Word Origin for anabaena

New Latin, from Greek anabainein to shoot up, go up, from ana- + bainein to go; so called because they rise to the surface at intervals

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