n.
Pronunciation: ' l ī -k ə n, Brit also ' li-ch ə n
Function: noun
Etymology: Latin, from Greek leich ē n, lich ē n, from leichein to lick
Date: circa 1657
1 : any of several skin diseases characterized by a papular eruption
2 : any of numerous complex plantlike organisms made up of an alga and a fungus growing in symbiotic association on a solid surface (as a rock)
– li · chened \ -k ə nd \ adjective
– li · chen · ous \ -k ə -n ə s \ adjective
lichen 2