Irish moss

Irish moss
Moss Moss (m[o^]s; 115), n. [OE. mos; akin to AS. me['o]s, D. mos, G. moos, OHG. mos, mios, Icel. mosi, Dan. mos, Sw. mossa, Russ. mokh', L. muscus. Cf. {Muscoid}.] 1. (Bot.) A cryptogamous plant of a cellular structure, with distinct stem and simple leaves. The fruit is a small capsule usually opening by an apical lid, and so discharging the spores. There are many species, collectively termed Musci, growing on the earth, on rocks, and trunks of trees, etc., and a few in running water. [1913 Webster]

Note: The term moss is also popularly applied to many other small cryptogamic plants, particularly lichens, species of which are called tree moss, rock moss, coral moss, etc. Fir moss and club moss are of the genus {Lycopodium}. See {Club moss}, under {Club}, and {Lycopodium}. [1913 Webster]

2. A bog; a morass; a place containing peat; as, the mosses of the Scottish border. [1913 Webster]

Note: Moss is used with participles in the composition of words which need no special explanation; as, moss-capped, moss-clad, moss-covered, moss-grown, etc. [1913 Webster]

{Black moss}. See under {Black}, and {Tillandsia}.

{Bog moss}. See {Sphagnum}.

{Feather moss}, any moss branched in a feathery manner, esp. several species of the genus {Hypnum}.

{Florida moss}, {Long moss}, or {Spanish moss}. See {Tillandsia}.

{Iceland moss}, a lichen. See {Iceland Moss}.

{Irish moss}, a seaweed. See {Carrageen}.

{Moss agate} (Min.), a variety of agate, containing brown, black, or green mosslike or dendritic markings, due in part to oxide of manganese. Called also {Mocha stone}.

{Moss animal} (Zo["o]l.), a bryozoan.

{Moss berry} (Bot.), the small cranberry ({Vaccinium Oxycoccus}).

{Moss campion} (Bot.), a kind of mosslike catchfly ({Silene acaulis}), with mostly purplish flowers, found on the highest mountains of Europe and America, and within the Arctic circle.

{Moss land}, land produced accumulation of aquatic plants, forming peat bogs of more or less consistency, as the water is grained off or retained in its pores.

{Moss pink} (Bot.), a plant of the genus {Phlox} ({Phlox subulata}), growing in patches on dry rocky hills in the Middle United States, and often cultivated for its handsome flowers. --Gray.

{Moss rose} (Bot.), a variety of rose having a mosslike growth on the stalk and calyx. It is said to be derived from the Provence rose.

{Moss rush} (Bot.), a rush of the genus {Juncus} ({Juncus squarrosus}).

{Scale moss}. See {Hepatica}. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Irish moss — Irish I rish, a. [AS. [imac]risc, fr. [imac]ras the Irish. Cf. {Aryan}, {Erse}.] Of or pertaining to Ireland or to its inhabitants; produced in Ireland. [1913 Webster] {Irish elk}. (Zo[ o]l.) See under {Elk}. {Irish moss}. (a) (Bot.) Carrageen.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Irish moss — ī(ə)r ish mȯs n 1) the dried and bleached plants of a red alga (esp. Chondrus crispus) that are used as an agent for thickening or emulsifying or as a demulcent (as in cookery or pharmacy) called also chondrus 2) a red alga (esp. Chondrus crispu …   Medical dictionary

  • Irish moss — may refer to: * Chondrus crispus , a seaweed * Sagina subulata , a terrestrial plant Creeping moss like groundcover with tiny white flowers. Bright green foliage. Does not like hot afternoon sun. Often used between paving stones or in rock… …   Wikipedia

  • Irish moss — n. CARRAGEEN …   English World dictionary

  • Irish moss — Carrageen Car ra*geen , Carrigeen Car ri*geen , n. A small, purplish, branching, cartilaginous seaweed ({Chondrus crispus}), which, when bleached, is the {Irish moss} of commerce. [Also written {carragheen}, {carageen}.] [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Irish moss — noun Date: 1837 1. the dried and bleached plants of a red alga (especially Chondrus crispus) used as an agent for thickening or emulsifying or as a demulcent and as a source of carrageenan 2. a red alga that is a source of Irish moss called also… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • Irish moss — a purplish brown, cartilaginous seaweed, Chondrus crispus, of the Atlantic coasts of Europe and North America. Also called carrageen, carragheen. [1835 45] * * * ▪ algae also called  carrageen        (Chondrus crispus), species of red tufted… …   Universalium

  • Irish Moss — noun Alternative spelling of Irish moss …   Wiktionary

  • Irish moss extractive — n CARRAGEENAN …   Medical dictionary

  • Irish moss — noun A species of edible seaweed, Chondrus crispus. Syn: carrageen, carrageen moss …   Wiktionary

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