conferva

noun con·fer·va \ kənˈfərvə \

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