phycophaein

noun

phy·​co·​phae·​in
variants or phycophein
ˌ⸗⸗ˈfēə̇n
plural -s
: a brown pigment in the cells of brown algae (as the kelps) now believed to be no more than a postmortem oxidation product of fucosan

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary phyc- + -phaein, -phein (from Greek phaios dusky + International Scientific Vocabulary -in)

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

  1. Expanded definitions
  2. Detailed etymologies
  3. Advanced search tools
  4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now

Dictionary Entries Near phycophaein

Cite this Entry

“Phycophaein.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phycophaein. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!