lichen meaning

lichen as a noun

1. any of several eruptive skin diseases characterized by hard thick lesions grouped together and resembling lichens growing on rocks

   Type of: skin disease

   Kinds: lichen planus

2. any thallophytic plant of the division Lichenes; occur as crusty patches or bushy growths on tree trunks or rocks or bare ground etc.

   Type of: fungus

   Kinds: ascolichen, basidiolichen, lecanora, roccella, beard lichen, horsehair lichen, reindeer moss, crottle, Iceland moss

How to pronounce lichen

lichen is pronounced /ˈlaɪkən/ in American English. It has 2 syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.