Phrase guide

sea sawdust

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

Marine blue-green algae (cyanobacteria, actually brown coloured) of the genus Trichodesmium.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

Examples

  • 1770, The Endeavour Journal of Sir Joseph Banks at Project Gutenberg Australia The seamen who are now convinc'd that it was not as they had thought the spawn of fish began to call it Sea sawdust, a name certainly not ill adapted to its appearance.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Coined by sailors on Captain James Cook's 1768-71 voyage (his first voyage) to the south seas and Australia.