any microscopic unicellular green alga of the genus Chlorella: some species are used in the preparation of human food
Word origin
C19: from New Latin, from chloro- + Latin -ella, diminutive suffix
chlorella in American English
(kloʊˈrɛlə; klɔrˈɛlə)
noun
any of a genus (Chlorella) of microscopic, unicellular, green algae with spherical cells: several species are rich sources of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats