lichen

English

/ˈlaɪ.kn̩/, /ˈlɪtʃ.n̩/

noun
Definitions
  • Any of many symbiotic organisms, being associations of algae and fungi, often found as white or yellow patches on old walls, etc.
  • (figurative) Something which gradually spreads across something else, causing damage.

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin līchēn (ringworm) derived from Ancient Greek λειχήν (lichen, tree moss, liverwort) root from Proto-Indo-European *leyǵʰ- (lick).

Origin

Proto-Indo-European

*leyǵʰ-

Gloss

lick

Concept
Semantic Field

The body

Ontological Category

Action/Process

Emoji
👅

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms