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sargassum

[sahr-gas-uh m]
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noun
  1. any seaweed of the genus Sargassum, widely distributed in the warmer waters of the globe, as S. bacciferum, the common gulfweed.
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Origin of sargassum

From New Latin, dating back to 1900–05; see origin at sargasso
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for sargassum

Historical Examples

  • I cannot admit the Sargassum case to be parallel with that of Confervae or Oscillatoria.

    More Letters of Charles Darwin

    Charles Darwin

  • Edward Forbes supposed that the Sargassum or Gulf-weed represents the littoral sea-weeds of a now submerged continent.

  • Sargassum is distinguished by its differentiation into stem and leaf, resembling in outward appearance the higher plants.

    The Sea-beach at Ebb-tide

    Augusta Foote Arnold

  • The sargassum and the almonds of the stone-pine completed the repast, during which the engineer spoke little.

  • Sea-lentil is a name sometimes applied to the gulfweed Sargassum vulgare.

British Dictionary definitions for sargassum

sargassum

sargasso (sɑːˈɡæsəʊ)

noun
  1. any floating brown seaweed of the genus Sargassum, such as gulfweed, of warm seas, having ribbon-like fronds containing air sacs
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Word Origin

C18: from New Latin; see sargasso
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