Copyright © Philip M. Parker, INSEAD. Terms of Use.
"LICHENS" is a plural of: lichen. |
Date "LICHENS" was first used in popular English literature: sometime before 1814. (references) |
| Domain | Definition |
Health | Any of a group of plants formed by a mutual combination of an alga and a fungus. (references) |
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | |
(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)
Lichens are symbiotic organisms made up by the association of microscopic green algae or cyanobacteria and filamentous fungi. Lichens take the external shape of the fungal partner and hence are named based on the fungus. The lichen fungus is typically a member of the Ascomycota, rarely a member of the Basidiomycota. Some place lichens in their own division (Mycophycophyta) but this ignores the fact that the components belong in separate lineages.
''Crustose and foliose lichens on a wall (enlarge image)''Lichens live on the soil of forests, on the surface of rocks, or on walls. They are often the first to settle in uninhabited places, constituting the sole vegetation of some extreme environments such as on high mountains and at high latitudes. Some of them live in the tough conditions of deserts, and others survive on frozen soil of the arctic regions. Some lichens have the aspect of leaves (foliaceous lichens); others cover their support like a crust (crustaceous lichens); others adopt shrubby forms (fruticose lichens); and there are the gelatinous lichens. See lichen types below.
When seen under magnification, a section through the lichen thallus reveals two layers of interlaced filaments (fungus), among which are scattered round green structures named gonidia (sing. gonidium), which are algae. The alga contains chlorophyll that permits the plant to live in a purely mineral environment. Mostly the fungus protects the alga against drought. Soredia (sing. soredium), which contain algal cells as well fungal filaments, come loose from the lichen and serve as a means for their reproduction and dispersal. Lichens are the only food available for many animals living in arctic regions, such as reindeer.
Although they can grow in harsh environments in nature, many lichens are sensistive to man-made pollutants. Hence, they could be used as pollution indicators.
Squamulose (mostly foliose)
lichen (enlarge)Fruiticose lichen (enlarge)
Usnea australisSource: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia under a copyleft GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL) from the article "Lichen."
| Domain | Title |
Books |
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Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | |
| Thumbnail | Description & Credit | Thumbnail | Description & Credit |
 | Cryptogammic crust (microbiotic lichens, mosses, and etc.). Credit: Unknown. |  | Lichens. Credit: Jerry Sintz. |
 | Rocks with Lichens on Steens Mountain, Oregon. Credit: Mark Armstrong. |  | Iceland. Lichens on river stones, South Coast. Credit: Library of Congress. |
Source: pictures compiled by the editor from various references; see picture credits. | |||
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| "Lichens 1" by Brian Corll Commentary: "Lichens at Clarks Creek, PA." |
Source: photographs selected by the editor, with permission from the photographers. |
| "LICHENS" is generally used as a noun (plural) -- approximately 100.00% of the time. "LICHENS" is used about 106 times out of a sample of 100 million words spoken or written in English. Its rank is based on over 700,000 words used in the English language. Some parts-of-speech are not covered due to the samples used by the British National Corpus. (note: percents less than one-hundredth of one percent have been omitted) |
| Parts of Speech | Percent | Usage per 100 Million Words | Rank in English |
| Noun (plural) | 100% | 106 | 31,637 |
Source: compiled by the editor from several corpora; see credits.
| Language | Translations for "LICHENS"; alternative meanings/domain in parentheses. | |
German | Flechten (braid, cane, make, plait, tresses, twine, wattle, weave, wreathe). (various references) | |
Italian | Licheni. (various references) | |
Japanese Kanji | 地衣類 . (various references) | |
Japanese Katakana | ちいるい. (various references) | |
Pig Latin | ichenslay.(various references) | |
| Source: compiled by the editor from various translation references. | ||
Misspellings | |
"LICHENS" is suggested in spellcheckers for the following: ichen, Lachen, lechon, licens, licensc, Lichas, liche, lichees, liches, lichien, lichis, Lichten, licvens, Liscahane, Lisheen, litchen, litchens, Llechwen, Lochsen, lucens, Luchenzo, Luchon, Luckhaus, Lukhansa, lychees. (additional references) | |
| Source: compiled by the editor, based on several corpora (additional references). | |
| # of Phoneme Matches | Pronunciation | Word(s) rhyming with "LICHENS" (pronounced lī"kunz) |
| 6 | l ī" k u n z | likens. |
| 4 | -k u n z | awakens, beacons, beckons, blackens, brackens, catkins, chickens, deacons, Dickens, falcons, gascons, lubricants, pelicans, Pipkins, pumpkins, quickens, reckons, republicans, slackens, thickens, tokens, weakens. |
| 3 | -u n z | abrasions, abstentions, abstractions, academicians, accommodations, abandons, abbreviations, abductions, aberrations, abortions, accordions, accreditations, accumulations, accusations, acquisitions, actions, adaptations, addictions, additions, administrations, admissions, admonitions, adoptions, affections, affiliations, affirmations, afflictions, aggressions, aliens, allegations, allergens, allocations, allusions, alterations, altercations, ambitions, ammunitions, amphibians, amplifications, amputations, animations, annotations, anticipations, antigens, antihistamines, antitoxins, apparitions, appellations, applications, apprehensions, appropriations, approximations, aprons, arbitrations, arcadians, arsons, artisans, aspens, aspersions, aspirations, assassinations, assassins, assertions, associations, assumptions, attentions, attractions, auctions, auditions, authentications, authorizations, Avions, confrontations, confusions, congratulations, congregations, congresspersons, conjugations, conjunctions, connections, connotations, consecrations, considerations, consolations, consolidations, constellations, constitutions, constrictions, constructions, consultations, contentions, contortions, contractions, contradictions, contraptions, contrarians, contributions, contusions, conventions, conversations, conversions, convictions, convulsions, cooperations, corporations, corrections, correlations, corruptions, cottons, badmintons, balbriggans, barbarians, bargains, barons, barrens, basins, bastions, battalions, bedouins, billions, bourbons, brightens, broadens, bruins, bulletins, burdens, buttons, cabins, calculations, cancellations, cannons, canons, cantons, canyons, capitalizations, captains, captions, carbons, carcinogens, cardigans, carnations, cartons, castrations, catamarans, cautions, caymans, celebrations, centenarians, certifications, champions, chaplains, characterizations, charlatans, chieftains, circulations, citations, citizens, civilians, civilizations, clarifications, classifications, clinicians, coalitions, collaborations, collections, collegians, collisions, combinations, comedians, commemorations, commissions, Commons, communications, companions, comparisons, compensations, competitions, compilations, completions, complexions, complications, compositions, compulsions, computations, concentrations, conceptions, concessions, conclusions, concoctions, concussions, condemnations, conditions, confections, confessions, configurations, confirmations, cousins, cravens, creations, crustaceans, curtains, cushions, custodians, dalmatians, Daltons, dandelions, decapitations, deceptions, decisions, declarations, decorations, deductions, deepens, defections, definitions, degradations, delegations, deletions, deliberations, delicatessens, delusions, demarcations, demons, demonstrations, demotions, denationalizations, denizens, denominations, denunciations, depictions, deportations, depositions, depreciations, depredations, depressions, deprivations, descriptions, desecrations, desertions, designations, destinations, detentions, determinations, determines, detonations, devaluations, deviations, dietitians, digressions, dimensions, dioxins, directions, disciplinarians, disciplines, discolorations, discussions, dislocations, dispositions, disruptions, dissections, distinctions, distortions, distractions, distributions, diversifications, diversions, divisions, Dobsons, doctrines, dolphins, donations, dozens, dragons, dramatizations, dungeons, duplications, durations, editions, educations, egyptians, elections, electricians, electrocutions, elevations, elevens, eliminations, elocutions, emanations, emigrations, emissions, emotions, endorphins, engines, environs, envisions, eons, equations, erections, eruptions, estimations, estrogens, evacuations, evaluations, evasions, evens, evictions, exacerbations, exactions, exaggerations, examinations, examines, excavations, exceptions, exclamations, exclusions, excursions, executions, exemptions, exertions, exhibitions, exhortations, expansions, expectations, expeditions, expirations, explanations, explorations, explosions, expositions, expressions, expropriations, expulsions, extensions, extractions, fabrications, factions, famines, fashions, federations, felons, fictions, firmans, flirtations, fluctuations, fluorocarbons, formations, formulations, fortifications, fortunes, foundations, fountains, fractions, frictions, frightens, frustrations, functions, galleons, gallons, Gammons, gardens, generalizations, generations, geriatricians, germans, Gibbons, givens, globulins, gluttons, gorgons, Gowans, grabens, gradations, graduations, gremlins, gryphons, guardians, gyrations, hallucinations, happens, hardens, hastens, havens, heavens, heightens, heroines, herons, hesitations, historians, hooligans, horizons, hospitalizations, humanitarians, humans, humiliations, hydrocarbons, hydrogens, identifications, illusions, illustrations, imaginations, imagines, imitations, immunizations, impatiens, imperfections, implications, impressions, improvisations, inaugurations, incarnations, incisions, inclinations, inclusions, incorporations, incursions, indications, indiscretions, infections, infestations, inflections, informations, infractions, infusions, inhibitions, injections, injunctions, innovations, inoculations, inscriptions, insinuations, inspections, inspirations, installations, institutions, instructions, integrations, intentions, interactions, interceptions, interconnections, interjections, intermissions, interpretations, interrogations, interruptions, intersections, interventions, intestines, intimations, introductions, intrusions, inundations, invasions, inventions, investigations, invitations, ions, irritations, jillions, Jordans, jurisdictions, justifications, juxtapositions, kindergartens, kitchens, kittens, lacerations, leavens, legions, lemans, lemons, lengthens, lesbians, lesions, lessens, lessons, liberalizations, libertarians, librarians, limitations, linens, lions, lippens, liquidations, listens, litigations, locations, loosens, lotions, luncheons, machinations, magicians, magnifications, maidens, malformations, malfunctions, mandarins, manifestations, manipulations, mansions, margins, Marlins, martens, martians, masons, mathematicians, matrons, mavens, medallions, medications, medicines, meditations, melons, mentions, metropolitans, mignons, migrations, millions, minions, ministrations, miscalculations, misconceptions, miscreations, misfortunes, misperceptions, misrepresentations, missions, mittens, mobilizations, modifications, Morgans, motions, motivations, mountains, muffins, mullens, munitions, musicians, mutations, mutilations, myrmidons, nationalizations, nations, negotiations, neurosurgeons, newspersons, nominations, nonwovens, notations, notifications, notions, objections, obligations, observations, obsessions, obstetricians, obstructions, occasions, occupations, oceans, omens, omissions, onions, opens, operations, opinions, oppressions, opticians, options, orations, orchestrations, organizations, organs, orientations, originations, orphans, oscillations, ovations, ovens, paeans, palpitations, pardons, parliamentarians, Parsons, participations, partisans, partitions, passions, pathogens, patients, patricians, patrons, pavilions, pedestrians, pediatricians, penguins, penicillins, pensions, peons, perceptions, perforations, permissions, permutations, persons, persuasions, perturbations, petitions, physicians, pigeons, pistons, plantains, plantations, plebeians, poisons, politicians, pollens, polyhedrons, pontifications, populations, porcelains, portions, positions, possessions, potions, precautions, preconceptions, preconditions, predictions, predilections, predispositions, preoccupations, preparations, prescriptions, presentations, presumptions, pretensions, prisons, privations, privatizations, processions, proclamations, productions, professions, prognostications, prohibitions, projections, promotions, pronunciations, proportions, propositions, prosecutions, prostaglandins, protections, protestations, protozoans, provisions, provocations, publications, puritans, qualifications, questions, quotations, ramifications, rationalizations, rations, ravens, reactions, realizations, reasons, rebellions, recapitalizations, receptions, recessions, recisions, recitations, recollections, recommendations, reconciliations, reconstructions, recriminations, redemptions, reductions, reflections, regimens, regions, registrations, regressions, regulations, rehabilitations, rejections, relations, religions, relocations, remissions, renditions, renegotiations, renovations, reopens, reorganizations, reparations, repercussions, repetitions, repossessions, representations, repressions, reproductions, reputations, rescissions, reservations, resignations, resolutions, restorations, restrictions, reunions, revaluations, revelations, reverberations, revisions, revocations, revolutions, rhetoricians, ribbons, Robins, romans, rotations, ruins, ruminations, saddens, salmons, samaritans, sanctions, sapiens, satisfactions, scallions, scorpions, seasons, secretions, sections, selections, seminarians, sensations, separations, sermons, sessions, sevens, shamans, sharpens, shenanigans, shortens, Siemens, simulations, siphons, sirens, situations, skeletons, slogans, smoothens, snapdragons, softens, solicitations, solutions, sovereigns, sovrans, specifications, specimens, speculations, spokespersons, squadrons, stallions, stations, statisticians, sterilizations, stiffens, stipulations, straightens, strangulations, strengthens, sturgeons, subdivisions, subluxations, submissions, subscriptions, substitutions, suburbans, suggestions, sultans, summations, summons, superstitions, suppositions, surgeons, suspensions, suspicions, sweetens, syndications, tabulations, tacticians, talons, tamarins, technicians, telecommunications, televisions, temptations, tendons, tensions, terminations, theologians, theoreticians, threatens, tightens, titans, toboggans, totalitarians, toughens, toxins, traditions, transactions, transcriptions, transformations, transfusions, transgressions, transitions, translations, transmissions, tribulations, trillions, truncheons, tuitions, turbans, unions, unisons, urchins, utopians, vacations, vaccinations, valuations, variations, vegetarians, versions, veterans, veterinarians, vibrations, villains, violations, virgins, visions, visitations, vitamins, vocations, wagons, wardens, warrens, watermelons, weapons, widens, woolens, workstations, worsens, yaupons, zillions. |
Source: compiled by the editor (additional references); see credits. | ||
Scrabble® Enable2K-Verified Anagrams | |
| Words within the letters "c-e-h-i-l-n-s" | |
-1 letter: chiels, chiles, chines, chisel, clines, inches, lichen, liches, niches. | |
-2 letters: ceils, chiel, chile, chine, chins, cines, cline, heils, lenis, liens, lines, niche, shiel, shine, since, slice. | |
-3 letters: ceil, cels, chin, chis, cine, elhi, heil, hens, hies, hins, hisn, ices, ichs, inch, isle, lech, leis, lens, lice, lich, lien, lies, line, lins, nice, nils. | |
| Words containing the letters "c-e-h-i-l-n-s" | |
+1 letter: chinless, cholines, clinches, flinches, helicons. | |
+2 letters: cephalins, chenilles, chillness, chiseling, chlorines, clinchers, flinchers, lecithins, lichenins, lichenous, lychnises, phenolics, pinochles, schlieren, schnitzel, selachian. | |
+3 letters: anthelices, candlefish, chatelains, chelations, chelonians, chilliness, chiselling, chronicles, clothespin, cochineals, enchiladas, fletchings, haloclines, lunchtimes, mischannel, scheduling, schlepping, schnitzels, selachians, squelching, technicals, thylacines, touchlines, unclinches, vetchlings. | |
+4 letters: branchlines, bronchioles, bullfinches, calisthenic, cephalexins, chainwheels, chandeliers, chandleries, changelings, channelizes, chatelaines, chillnesses, chloramines, chlorinates, chroniclers, clomiphenes, clothesline, clothespins, colchicines, colophonies, coltishness, cultishness, cushionless, entelechies, ethicalness, goldfinches, interschool, lecithinase, manchineels, mechanicals, mischannels, neophiliacs, reschooling, searchingly, sepulchring, shellacking, slouchiness, spinachlike, stickhandle. | |
| Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. | |
| 1. Definition 2. Crosswords 3. Usage: Commercial 4. Images: Slideshow | 5. Images: Photo Album 6. Images: Digital Art 7. Usage Frequency 8. Translations: Modern | 9. Derivations 10. Rhymes 11. Anagrams 12. Bibliography |
Copyright © Philip M. Parker, INSEAD. Terms of Use.
