fucus

noun

fu·​cus ˈfyü-kəs How to pronounce fucus (audio)
1
obsolete : a face paint
2
[New Latin, genus name, from Latin] : any of a genus (Fucus) of leathery marine brown algae of rocky intertidal zones that are a source of algin and have been used as fertilizer
broadly : any of various brown algae compare rockweed

Examples of fucus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The rocks draped with fronds of fucus seaweed beneath the tide line. Author: Brendan Jones, Alaska Dispatch News, 11 Aug. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fucus.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin, seaweed, archil, dye obtained from archil, from Greek phykos

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fucus was in 1591

Dictionary Entries Near fucus

Cite this Entry

“Fucus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fucus. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

fucus

noun
fu·​cus ˈfyü-kəs How to pronounce fucus (audio)

Medical Definition

fucus

noun
fu·​cus ˈfyü-kəs How to pronounce fucus (audio)
1
capitalized : a genus (family Fucaceae) of cartilaginous brown algae used in the kelp industry
2
: any brown alga of the genus Fucus
broadly : any of various brown algae

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