lichen

li·chen

noun \ˈlī-kən, British also ˈli-chən\

Definition of LICHEN

1

: any of several skin diseases characterized by a papular eruption

2

: any of numerous complex plantlike organisms made up of an alga and a fungus growing in symbiotic association on a solid surface (as a rock)

— li·chened \-kənd\ adjective

— li·chen·ous \-kə-nəs\ adjective

Illustration of LICHEN

Origin of LICHEN

Latin, from Greek leichēn, lichēn, from leichein to lick

First Known Use: circa 1657

Rhymes with LICHEN

liken, Steichen