any of various threadlike green algae, esp any of the genus Tribonema, typically occurring in fresh water
Derived forms
conferval (conˈferval)
adjective
confervoid (conˈfervoid)
noun, adjective
Word origin
C18: from Latin: a water plant, from confervēre to grow together, heal, literally: to seethe, from fervēre to boil; named with reference to its reputed healing properties