ˈduckweed
The common name for plants of the genus Lemna, which float on still water, so as to cover the surface like a green carpet.
| c 1440 Promp. Parv. 125/2 Dockewede, padella (P. paradilla). 1591 Percivall Sp. Dict., Lenteja de agua, duck weede, Lens palustris. 1626 Bacon Sylva §567 The Water also doth send forth Plants, that have no Roots fixed in the Bottome..Such is that we call Duck-Weed. 1745 Gentl. Mag. 418 Go to a ditch where there is a quantity of duckweed. 1840 Hoop Up the Rhine 35 Stagnant ditches and ponds covered with duckweed. |
| Comb. 1895 K. Grahame Gold. Age 20 He had rendered up his duckweed-bedabbled person into the hands of an aunt. |
Hence
ˈduckweedy a., full of duckweed.
| 1883 Harper's Mag. Mar. 530/2 The little green duckweedy moat. |