kelp
kelp Lexical Profile
kelp Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Any of various large, tough brown marine algae belonging to the order Laminariales that grow in cool, shallow coastal waters and often form dense underwater forests.
"Sea otters play a vital ecological role by preying on sea urchins that would otherwise overgraze the coastal kelp."
The edible fronds of certain large brown seaweeds, harvested as a nutrient-rich sea vegetable and widely used in East Asian soups, broths, salads, and dietary supplements.
"She simmered a strip of dried kelp in water to create a savory base for the miso soup."
The calcined ashes obtained by burning large brown seaweeds, historically processed as a commercial source of soda, potash, and iodine for manufacturing glass and soap.
"In the eighteenth century, coastal communities in Scotland earned a livelihood by burning dried seaweed to produce kelp for the glassmaking industry."
• verb
To gather, harvest, or burn large brown seaweeds for food or for extracting alkaline ash and iodine.
"Generations of islanders kelped along the rocky shores during the summer months."
• Rhymes for kelp
Word Origin & Etymology
First recorded in late Middle English as 'culp' or 'kelpe', the further origin of the word remains uncertain, though it may be related to Dutch or Scandinavian coastal dialect terms for marine vegetation.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.