spirulina

[spahy-ruh-lahy-nuh]

noun

any of the blue-green algae of the genus Spirulina, sometimes added to food for its nutrient value.

Origin of spirulina

< New Latin, equivalent to spīrul(a) small coil (see spiral, -ule) + -ina -ina²; so called from their corkscrew shape

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for spirulina

Historical Examples of spirulina

Spirulina is often found growing with Oscillaria, and forms purple patches on wharves.
The Sea-beach at Ebb-tide
Augusta Foote Arnold
In Spirulina the filaments are spirally twisted like a corkscrew and also have a vibrating movement.
The Sea-beach at Ebb-tide
Augusta Foote Arnold

British Dictionary definitions for spirulina

spirulina

noun

any filamentous cyanobacterium of the genus Spirulina : processed as a valuable source of proteins and other nutrients

Word Origin for spirulina

from New Latin spirula small spiral

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