conferva

American  

[kon-fur-vuh] / kɒnˈfɜr və /

noun

plural

confervae, confervas

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

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conferva British  

/ kɒnˈfɜːvə /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• conferval adjective
• confervoid adjective
• confervous adjective

Etymology

Origin of conferva

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

Example Sentences

Fresh-water shells have been found in the thermal waters of Gastein at a temperature of 117°, and Niebuhr found a conferva growing in water at 142°.

From Curiosities of Medical Experience by Millingen, J. G. (John Gideon)

If placed in a live-box with threads of conferva, and a little decayed vegetation, it may be observed to group about among them, and shake them like a dog.

From Marvels of Pond-life A Year's Microscopic Recreations by Slack, Henry J.

I know it is not new; but how wonderful his account of the spermatozoa of some dioecious alga or conferva, swimming and finding the minute micropyle in a distinct plant, and forcing its way in!

From More Letters of Charles Darwin — Volume 2 by Darwin, Francis, Sir

Polyps may be obtained at all times of the year by bringing home duckweed, conferva, and other water-plants from the ponds.

From Marvels of Pond-life A Year's Microscopic Recreations by Slack, Henry J.

Microscopic animals produced from all vegetable and animal infusions; generate others like themselves by solitary reproduction; not produced from eggs; conferva fontinalis; mucor.

From The Temple of Nature; or, the Origin of Society A Poem, with Philosophical Notes by Darwin, Erasmus