conferva

American  

[kon-fur-vuh] / kɒnˈfɜr və /

noun

plural

confervae, confervas

1. any simple filamentous green algae, many of which were formerly classified in the genus Conferva.

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conferva British  

/ kɒnˈfɜːvə /

noun

1. any of various threadlike green algae, esp any of the genus Tribonema, typically occurring in fresh water

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Other Word Forms

• conferval adjective
• confervoid adjective
• confervous adjective

Etymology

Origin of conferva

1630–40; < Latin: a certain water plant supposed to heal wounds, akin to confervēre to grow together, heal ( see con-, fervent)

Example Sentences

Our mass of conferva turns out to contain one of the most elegant species.

From Marvels of Pond-life A Year's Microscopic Recreations by Slack, Henry J.

At Maypures a conferva is burnt, which is left by the Orinoco on the neighbouring rocks, when, after high swellings, it again enters its bed.

From Personal Narrative of Travels to the Equinoctial Regions of America, During the Year 1799-1804 — Volume 2 by Humboldt, Alexander von

But if the conferva or parasitic fungus exceeds its allies in the above respects, it will then be dominant within its own class.

From The Origin of Species by means of Natural Selection, 6th Edition by Darwin, Charles

If placed in a live-box with threads of conferva, and a little decayed vegetation, it may be observed to group about among them, and shake them like a dog.

From Marvels of Pond-life A Year's Microscopic Recreations by Slack, Henry J.

A clammy conferva covers everything except the mosaics upon tribune, roof, and clerestory, which defy the course of age.

From Sketches and Studies in Italy and Greece, Second Series by Brown, Horatio Robert Forbes