Chrysophyceae

plural noun

Chrys·​o·​phy·​ce·​ae

: a class of the yellow-green algae (division Chrysophyta) having cells solitary or in colonies of definite form, with few yellow or golden brown chromatophores in each cell, reserves occurring as fats and leucosin but not as starch, and motile cells when present having the flagella at their anterior end and more or less equal in length

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from chrys- + -phyceae

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!