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Lichen vs Richen - What's the difference?

lichen | richen |

As a noun lichen

is any of many symbiotic organisms, being associations of fungi and algae; often found as white or yellow patches on old walls, etc.

As a verb richen is

to make or render rich or richer.

lichen

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • Any of many symbiotic organisms, being associations of fungi and algae; often found as white or yellow patches on old walls, etc.
  • * 1894 — (Rudyard Kipling), , Lukannon
    • The Beaches of Lukannon–the winter wheat so tall–
    The dripping, crinkled lichens , and the sea-fog drenching all!
  • * 1895 — , , ch XI
    • It was the same rich green that one sees on forest moss or on the lichen in caves: plants which like these grow in a perpetual twilight.
  • * 1915 — (John Muir), , ch V
    • The nibble marks of the stone adze were still visible, though crusted over with scale lichens in most places.
  • (figurative) Something which spreads across something else, causing damage.
  • *
    • Meanwhile, abiding a day of judgment, she fought ceaselessly to deny the bitter drops in her cup, to tear back the slow, the intangibly slow growth of a hot, corrosive lichen eating into her heart.

    Synonyms

    * (something which spreads) (l)

    Derived terms

    * (l) * (l) * (l) * (l) * (l) * (l) * (l) * (l) * (l) * (l) * (l) * (l) * (l) * (l) * (l) * (l) * (l) * (l) * (l) * (l) * (l) * (l) * (l) * (l) * (l)

    See also

    * (lichen) * algae * fungus * Iceland moss * moss * reindeer moss

    References

    ----

    richen

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To make or render rich or richer.
  • To become rich or richer; become superior in quality, condition or effectiveness.
  • (of a colour) To gain richness; become heightened or intensified in brilliancy.

    • Anagrams

    * enrich