anabaena

[ an-uh-bee-nuh ]
/ ˌæn əˈbi nə /

noun

any of the freshwater algae of the genus Anabaena, commonly occurring in masses and often contaminating drinking water, giving it a fishy odor and taste.

Origin of anabaena

< New Latin < Greek anabaín(ein) to go up ( ana- ana- + baínein to go) + Latin -a -a2

Words nearby anabaena

an-, an-najaf, an., ana, ana-, anabaena, anabantid, anabaptist, anabas, anabasine, anabasis

British Dictionary definitions for anabaena

anabaena
/ (ˌænəˈbiːnə) /

noun plural -nas

any freshwater alga of the genus Anabaena, sometimes occurring in drinking water, giving it a fishy taste and smell

Word Origin for anabaena

New Latin, from Greek anabainein to shoot up, go up, from ana- + bainein to go; so called because they rise to the surface at intervals