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fucus

noun fu·cus \ ˈfyü-kəs \

Definition of fucus

1 obsolete :a face paint

2

[New Latin, genus name, from Latin]

:any of a genus (Fucus) of leathery marine brown algae of rocky intertidal zones that are a source of algin and have been used as fertilizer; broadly :any of various brown algae — compare rockweed

See fucus defined for kids

Recent Examples of fucus from the Web

The rocks draped with fronds of fucus seaweed beneath the tide line.

— author: brendan jones, Alaska Dispatch News, "Like a conveyor belt of salmon: A Southeast fishing run to remember," 11 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fucus.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of fucus

Latin, seaweed, archil, dye obtained from archil, from Greek phykos

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1591

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

fucus

noun fu·cus \ ˈfyü-kəs \

medical Definition of fucus

1 capitalized :a genus (family Fucaceae) of cartilaginous brown algae used in the kelp industry

2 :any brown alga of the genus Fucus; broadly :any of various brown algae

Learn More about fucus

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fucus

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