ˈlaɪkən n. 1
any plant organism of
the group Lichenes, composed of a
fungus and an
alga in symbiotic
association, usu. of
green,
grey, or
yellow tint and growing on and
colouring rocks, tree-trunks, roofs, walls, etc. 2 any of
several types of
skin disease in
which small round hard lesions
occur close
together. øølichened adj. (in
sense 1). lichenology n. (in sense 1). lichenous adj. (in sense 2). [L f. Gk leikhen]