Iceland moss

American  

noun

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

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Iceland moss British  

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of Iceland moss

First recorded in 1795–1805

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Iceland moss

Iceland moss is to be had of all chemists.

From A Plain Cookery Book for the Working Classes by Francatelli, Charles Elmé

Iceland moss is found on the lava plains.

From A Girl's Ride in Iceland by Alec-Tweedie, Mrs. (Ethel)

They live in a simple manner, drink sour whey and milk, eat rancid butter, fish, mutton, and occasionally the lichens called Iceland moss.

From Wealth of the World's Waste Places and Oceania by Gilson, Jewett Castello

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

The liquid bandolines are principally of a gummy nature, being made either with Iceland moss, or linseed and water variously perfumed, also by boiling quince-seed with water.

From The Art of Perfumery And Methods of Obtaining the Odors of Plants by Piesse, George William Septimus