desmidn.
/ˈdɛsmɪd/ Botany.
A plant of the genus Desmidium, or family Desmidiaceæ of microscopic unicellular algæ; so called because sometimes found united in chains.
ΚΠ
1863 J. D. Dana Man. Geol. 271 Desmids..are microscopic plants, consisting of one or a few cells.
1867 E. Nares (title) Handy Book to the Collection and Preparation of Freshwater and Marine Algæ, Desmids, etc.
1871 F. W. Farrar Witness of Hist. i. 34 Look through the microscope..at some desmid gleaming like an animated opal with living iridescence.
Derivatives
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desmidiˈaceous adj. of the family Desmidiaceæ, containing the desmids.
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desˈmidian adj. and n. (a) adj. of the desmids; (b) n. a desmid.
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desmidiˈology n. the scientific study of desmids.
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desmidiˈologist n. one who pursues this study.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1895; most recently modified version published online December 2018).
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n.1863