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Iceland moss

American  

noun

  1. an edible lichen, Cetraria islandica, of Arctic regions, containing a starchlike substance used in medicine.


Iceland moss British  

noun

  1. a lichen, Cetraria islandica, of arctic regions and N Europe, with brownish edible fronds

"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

Etymology

Origin of Iceland moss

First recorded in 1795–1805

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Iceland moss one-fourth of an ounce, boiled in a quart of water, and a little rectified spirit added, so that it will keep.

From Our Deportment Or the Manners, Conduct and Dress of the Most Refined Society by Young, John H.

The Cladonia Rangiferina, or Iceland moss, proved very abundant.

From A Labrador Doctor The Autobiography of Wilfred Thomason Grenfell by Grenfell, Wilfred Thomason, Sir

A drink of any mucilaginous, lubricating, and innocent substance may be given, such as mallows, linseed, Iceland moss, slippery elm.

From The American Reformed Cattle Doctor by Dadd, George

There are few trees, and these small; cranberries grow among the heather, and Iceland moss is a plentiful article of food.

From The Nuttall Encyclopædia Being a Concise and Comprehensive Dictionary of General Knowledge by Nuttall, P. Austin

The following articles may be substituted for elm: flaxseed, lily roots, gum arabic, poplar bark, Iceland moss.

From The American Reformed Cattle Doctor by Dadd, George

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