algae

Noun
Synonyms: alga

WordNet 3.0

Noun (1)

  1. primitive chlorophyll-containing mainly aquatic eukaryotic organisms lacking true stems and roots and leavesSynonyms: alga
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

algae \algae\ n. plural of alga. [WordNet 1.5]
Alga \Al"ga\, n.; pl. Alg[ae] or algae. [L., seaweed.] (Bot.) A kind of seaweed; pl. the class of cellular cryptogamic plants which includes the black, red, and green seaweeds, as kelp, dulse, sea lettuce, also marine and fresh water conferv[ae], etc. The algae are primitive chlorophyll-containing mainly aquatic eukaryotic organisms lacking true stems and roots and leaves. [1913 Webster + WordNet 1.5]
Cryptogamia \Cryp`to*ga"mi*a\ (kr?p`t?-g?"m?-?), n.; pl. Cryptogami[ae] (-?). [NL., fr. Gr. krypto`s hidden, secret + ga`mos marriage.] (Bot.) The series or division of flowerless plants, or those never having true stamens and pistils, but propagated by spores of various kinds. [1913 Webster]

Note: The subdivisions have been variously arranged. The following arrangement recognizes four classes: -- I. Pteridophyta, or Vascular Acrogens.} These include Ferns, Equiseta or Scouring rushes, Lycopodiace[ae] or Club mosses, Selaginelle[ae], and several other smaller orders. Here belonged also the extinct coal plants called Lepidodendron, Sigillaria, and Calamites. II. Bryophita, or Cellular Acrogens. These include Musci, or Mosses, Hepatic[ae], or Scale mosses and Liverworts, and possibly Charace[ae], the Stoneworts. III. Alg[ae], which are divided into Floride[ae], the Red Seaweeds, and the orders Dictyote[ae], Oospore[ae], Zoospore[ae], Conjugat[ae], Diatomace[ae], and Cryptophyce[ae]. IV. Fungi. The molds, mildews, mushrooms, puffballs, etc., which are variously grouped into several subclasses and many orders. The Lichenes or Lichens are now considered to be of a mixed nature, each plant partly a Fungus and partly an Alga. [1913 Webster] Cryptogamic Cryptogamian

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