pond scum


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pond scum

n.
A usually greenish film on the surface of stagnant water, consisting of a mass of freshwater algae.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

pond scum

n
(Biology) a greenish layer floating on the surface of stagnant waters, consisting of various freshwater algae
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

pond′ scum`


n.
a mass of free-floating freshwater algae that forms a green scum on water.
[1885–90]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Noun1.pond scum - free-floating freshwater green algae
chlorophyte, green algae - algae that are clear green in color; often growing on wet ricks or damp wood or the surface of stagnant water
family Zygnemataceae, Zygnemataceae - pond scums: common freshwater algae forming green slimy masses
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
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References in periodicals archive ?
In an advisory, the city health office said the algae in the lake were filamentous freshwater green algae, also known as pond scum of the genus Spirogyra.
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If you're like most people, it will conjure up images of icky green goo, pond scum or seaweed.
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Just as well Ireland didn't depend on this pond scum for independence, hiding behind dark glasses."
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The new study looks at the history of life on Earth, the one inhabited planet we know of, to find times where the planet's atmosphere contained a mixture of gases that are out of equilibrium and could exist only in the presence of living organisms -- anything from pond scum to giant redwoods.
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A recent New Yorker essay about the man was headlined "Pond Scum." The title referred to Thoreau himself.
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She said Dorothy was "a sweet, kind lady", adding: "This pond scum of a man lost out - he's the fool."
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Second full disclosure: even though my dad was named after Depression-era Dodgers shortstop Glenn Wright as well as the fact that both my grandfathers were die-hard Trolley Dodger fans, as a Giants rooter I equate the team with pond scum....
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Mitochondria are capsules that speckle the insides of all complex cells from pond scum to people, or so textbooks say.
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We joked when the turtle poked its beak through the pond scum, bathtub
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We might have evolved to be able to miraculously balance on seven-inch heels, but as far as our emotional development is concerned we're still swimming with the pond scum.
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More likely, any new hires will be scooped from the pond scum of those who helped Dyster achieve victory in the in the 2015 election despite receiving only 47 percent of the vote.
As predicted, Dyster parking plan resurrected following election win

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