Dictionary
lichen
noun li·chen \ˈlī-kən, British also ˈli-chən\
: a type of small plant that grows on rocks and walls
Full Definition of LICHEN
1
: any of several skin diseases characterized by a papular eruption
2
: any of numerous complex plantlike organisms made up of an alga and a fungus growing in symbiotic association on a solid surface (as a rock)
— li·chened \-kənd\ adjective
— li·chen·ous \-kə-nəs\ adjective
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Illustration of LICHEN
Origin of LICHEN
Latin, from Greek leichēn, lichēn, from leichein to lick
First Known Use: circa 1657
LICHEN Defined for Kids
lichen
noun li·chen \ˈlī-kən\
Definition of LICHEN for Kids
: a plantlike organism made up of an alga and a fungus growing together
Medical Dictionary
lichen
noun li·chen \ˈlī-kən\
Medical Definition of LICHEN
1
: any of several skin diseases characterized by the eruption of flat papules; especially : lichen planus
2
: any of numerous complex plantlike organisms made up of an alga and a fungus growing in symbiotic association on a solid surface (as a rock)
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