stonewort

American

[stohn-wurt, -wawrt] / ˈstoʊnˌwɜrt, -ˌwɔrt /

noun

any of a plantlike group of green algae constituting the class Charophyceae, having a jointed body frequently encrusted with lime and usually attached to the bottom in fresh water.

stonewort British

/ ˈstəʊnˌwɜːt /

noun

any of various green algae of the genus Chara, which grow in brackish or fresh water and have jointed fronds encrusted with lime

"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 stonewort

First recorded in 1575–85; stone + wort ²

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.

Researchers from the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Center have studying how to combat starry stonewort , which has been spread to 11 lakes across the state.

From Seattle Times

The Department of Natural Resources says a search of 178 lakes in 20 counties by 200 trained volunteers found starry stonewort in Grand Lake in Stearns County.

From Washington Times

Starry stonewort is an algae that forms thick mats and can clog boat motors.

From Washington Times

The DNR says the spread and depth of starry stonewort in Lake Winnibigoshish indicates it also has been there for several years.

From Washington Times

Scuba divers were then scheduled to handpick the starry stonewort that the machine missed.

From Washington Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023