anabaena

[an-uh-bee-nuh]

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.

Origin of anabaena

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

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British Dictionary definitions for anabaena

anabaena

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012