algae-hostile
|al-gae-hos-tile|
🇺🇸
/ˈælɡiːˌhɑːstəl/
🇬🇧
/ˈælɡiːˌhɒstaɪl/
enemy of algae
Etymology
'algae-hostile' is a modern English compound formed from 'algae' + 'hostile'. 'algae' is the plural of 'alga' (from Latin 'alga' meaning 'seaweed'), and 'hostile' comes from Latin 'hostilis' via Old French and Middle English, meaning 'enemy' or 'hostile'.
'algae' (plural of Latin 'alga') entered scientific and common English usage in post-medieval periods; 'hostile' reached English from Old French 'hostile' and Latin 'hostilis'. The compound 'algae-hostile' is a recent coinage in technical and commercial contexts (20th–21st century) combining the noun and adjective.
Individually the parts meant 'seaweed' and 'enemy/hostile'; combined in modern usage they convey the practical meaning 'harmful to or inhibitory of algae'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
hostile to algae; tending to prevent the growth or survival of algae (often used for coatings, treatments, or environments).
The marina uses an algae-hostile coating on floating docks to reduce slippery green growth.
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Adjective 2
designed or formulated to kill, remove, or deter algae (used of chemical products or treatments).
Researchers tested several algae-hostile compounds to find an effective pond treatment.
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Last updated: 2025/12/23 06:32