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 ( con-, fervent )

Example Sentences

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.

At Maypures a conferva is burnt, which is left by the Orinoco on the neighbouring rocks, when, after high swellings, it again enters its bed.

From Personal Narrative of Travels to the Equinoctial Regions of America, During the Year 1799-1804 — Volume 2 by Humboldt, Alexander von

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)

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

From Sketches and Studies in Italy and Greece, Second Series by Brown, Horatio Robert Forbes

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