Lichen Definition

līkən
lichens
noun
Any of various small plants composed of a particular fungus and a particular alga (or blue-green alga) growing in an intimate symbiotic association and forming a dual plant, commonly adhering in colored patches or spongelike branches to rock, wood, soil, etc.
Webster's New World
Any of various skin diseases characterized by papules and enlarged skin markings.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
verb
To cover with lichens.
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Lichen

Noun

Singular:
lichen
Plural:
lichens

Origin of Lichen

  • Latin līchēn a kind of plant from Greek leikhēn from leikhein to lick leigh- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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