spirulina

[ spahy-ruh-lahy-nuh ]
/ ˌspaɪ rəˈlaɪ nə /

noun

any of the blue-green algae of the genus Spirulina, sometimes added to food for its nutrient value.

Origin of spirulina

< New Latin, equivalent to spīrul(a) small coil (see spiral, -ule) + -ina -ina2; so called from their corkscrew shape

Words nearby spirulina

spirometer, spironolactone, spiroplasma, spirt, spirula, spirulina, spiruroid, spiruroidea, spiry, spissatus, spissitude

Example sentences from the Web for spirulina

  • Spirulina is often found growing with Oscillaria, and forms purple patches on wharves.

    The Sea-beach at Ebb-tide |Augusta Foote Arnold

  • In Spirulina the filaments are spirally twisted like a corkscrew and also have a vibrating movement.

    The Sea-beach at Ebb-tide |Augusta Foote Arnold

British Dictionary definitions for spirulina

spirulina
/ (ˌspɪrʊˈlaɪnə, -ˈliːnə) /

noun

any filamentous cyanobacterium of the genus Spirulina : processed as a valuable source of proteins and other nutrients

Word Origin for spirulina

from New Latin spirula small spiral