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conferva
Definition of conferva
1 capitalized, in some especially former classifications : a genus of filamentous green algae containing a number of species of doubtful relationship many of which are now usually placed in the genus Tribonema
2 plural confervae \-(ˌ)vē\ : an alga of the genus Tribonema; broadly : any of various filamentous algae that form scums in still or sluggish fresh water
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Origin and Etymology of conferva
New Latin, from Latin, a water plant, from confervēre to boil together, grow together, heal, from com- + fervēre, fervere to boil; from its supposed healing power
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