desmid

[ dez-mid ]

noun

1. any single-celled freshwater algae of the family Desmidiaceae, characterized by a division of the body into mirror-image halves joined by a bridge containing the nucleus, and having a spiny or bristly exterior: sometimes forming into colonies or branching filaments.

desmid

/ ˈdɛsmɪd /

noun

1. any freshwater green alga of the mainly unicellular family Desmidioideae , typically constricted into two symmetrical halves

Derived Forms

• desˈmidian, adjective

Other Words From

• des·midi·an adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of desmid¹

1860–65; < New Latin Desmidium a genus of the family < Greek desm ( ós ) a band, chain (compare deîn to fasten) + New Latin -idium -idium

Word History and Origins

Origin of desmid¹

C19: from New Latin Desmidium (genus name), from Greek desmos bond, from dein to bind

Example Sentences

C. nivalis is a green alga — the group that gave rise to land plants, and includes the desmids I discussed here last month.

From Scientific American

With tiny, sculpted bodies and some distinctly unplantlike behavior, desmids are gorgeous botanical oddballs.

From Scientific American

The desmids are wonderfully beautiful plants; the markings and colors are exquisite.

From Project Gutenberg

Both diatoms and desmids may cohere together, forming more complex masses; but another creature allied to Protococcus is noted for its mode of cohesion.

From Project Gutenberg

Algal spores took hold, desmids and diatoms swam in and settled down, little fish wandered in and out of the crevices, while large ones nosed at the entrances.

From Project Gutenberg