the numerous algae that constitute the phylum Rhodophyta, which contain a red pigment in addition to chlorophyll. The group includes carrageen, dulse, and laver
Also called: red seaweed
red seaweed in American English
noun
any marine red alga, esp. one of the genus Polysiphonia, having a reddish, much branched thallus
Word origin
[1750–60]This word is first recorded in the period 1750–60. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: bunker, infiltrate, quartz, summation, swish