Definition

A type of simple, green freshwater algae that is long and thin, often found in water bodies.

Example

The pond was covered with conferva, creating a green layer on the surface.

Conversation

Have you ever seen conferva growing in the pond near our school?

Yeah, I noticed it last week; it looks kind of like green hair in the water.

Exactly! I read that conferva can be an important part of the ecosystem.

That's cool! I didn't know it played such a big role.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Conferva is derived from the Latin "con-" (meaning together) and "fervere" (meaning to boil or to bubble). The term originally referred to a type of filamentous algae that grows in water, suggesting the idea of growth or gathering together in aquatic environments.

Memory Tip

Think of 'together' ('con-') and 'boiling' ('fervere') to remember that 'conferva' refers to algae that grows together in water.

Visually Confused Words