conferva

[ kon-fur-vuh ]

noun

, plural con·fer·vae [kon-, fur, -vee], con·fer·vas.

1. any simple filamentous green algae, many of which were formerly classified in the genus Conferva.

conferva

/ kɒnˈfɜːvə /

noun

1. any of various threadlike green algae, esp any of the genus Tribonema, typically occurring in fresh water

Derived Forms

• conˈferval, adjective
• conˈfervoid, nounadjective

Other Words From

• con·ferval con·fer·vous [k, uh, n-, fur, -v, uh, s], adjective
• con·fer·void [kon-, fur, -void], adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of conferva¹

1630–40; < Latin: a certain water plant supposed to heal wounds, akin to confervēre to grow together, heal ( con-, fervent )

Word History and Origins

Origin of conferva¹

C18: from Latin: a water plant, from confervēre to grow together, heal, literally: to seethe, from fervēre to boil; named with reference to its reputed healing properties

Example Sentences

In the stomach of C. balnaris I found a considerable quantity of a conferva, too much, I think, to have got in accidentally.

From Project Gutenberg

The consequence has been an excessive growth of a conferva which is indigenous to these lakes and confined to them.

From Project Gutenberg

The few species of diatoms first discovered were included by Lyngbye, Dillwyn, and others in the genus Conferva.

From Project Gutenberg

A clammy conferva covers everything except the mosaics upon tribune, roof, and clerestory, which defy the course of age.

From Project Gutenberg

The surface water again exhibited the same conferva-like bodies which were so abundantly obtained near Madeira.

From Project Gutenberg