sea tangle

6.8

A large brown seaweed that grows in cold water near the coast

noun
/siː ˈtæŋɡəl/

: kombu

The sea tangle washed ashore after the storm.

Examples

Dried sea tangle is often used as an ingredient in traditional Asian cuisine.
Many fish hide among the sea tangles near the reef.
Many coastal communities use sea tangle as fertilizer for their crops.
The biologist collected samples of sea tangle for her marine research.
Dried sea tangle is often used as an ingredient in traditional Asian cuisine.
Many coastal communities use sea tangle as fertilizer for their crops.
The biologist collected samples of sea tangle for her marine research.

Synonyms

seaweed

vssea tangle

41 1.0

A plant that grows in the sea, often in long green or brown sheets

is a particular large cold water brown algae within that broad category

kelp

vssea tangle

19 4.9

Large brown seaweed with long strong leaves that forms underwater forests near the coast

is a specific example of these large cold water brown algae

tang

vssea tangle

1 9.1

A brown seaweed that grows on rocky coasts and is used as fertilizer or food

is that large cold water brown algae but emphasises the specific genus and kelp habit

Laminaria

vssea tangle

Specialized

1 9.6

A large brown seaweed that grows in cold ocean waters and forms underwater forests

is that same large cold water brown algae described in the entry

Alaria

vssea tangle

Specialized

1 9.9

A scientific name for a group of brown seaweed or parasitic flatworms

is the general large cold water brown algae rather than that particular genus

rockweed

vssea tangle

1 9.0

A rough brown seaweed that grows on rocks at low tide

is found as large cold water fronds often offshore rather than rock attached forms

wrack

vssea tangle

1 9.9

Seaweed and other water plants washed up on the shore

is a specific large cold water brown algae rather than any shore material

chorda

vssea tangle

Specialized

9.9

A brown seaweed with long strands like ropes that grows in the sea

is the broader category of large cold water brown algae rather than rope shaped forms

sea tang

vssea tangle

9.1

A rough seaweed that grows on seashores and is often large and leathery

is the same large cold water brown algae but with a specific genus identity

bladderwrack

vssea tangle

9.9

A common brown seaweed that grows on northern coasts and is used as fertilizer

is larger cold water brown algae of a different scientific group

Ascophyllum nodosum

vssea tangle

Specialized

9.8

A large brown seaweed that grows on North Atlantic coasts and is used as plant food and feed for animals

is the large cold water brown algae in a different taxonomic group

serrated wrack

vssea tangle

Specialized

9.6

A brown seaweed with saw-toothed edges that grows on rocky seashores

grows as large cold water fronds rather than small serrated shore forms

sea wrack

vssea tangle

8.4

Dead seaweed and other sea plants washed up on the shore

is specifically the large cold water brown algae living offshore rather than washed material

gulfweed

vssea tangle

Specialized

9.9

A brown seaweed with round air sacs that floats in large patches in warm Atlantic waters

is attached large cold water brown algae, not the floating tropical masses

Dictyota

vssea tangle

Specialized

9.9

A brown seaweed that grows in warm coastal waters

is the cold water large brown algae rather than warm water types

Surface Forms

sea tangle singular

sea tangles plural

Morphology

sea + tangle

The meaning is directly compositional: combining 'sea' (saltwater) with 'tangle' (a twisted mass) yields the idea of a tangled mass found in the sea, which most learners will map to seaweed/kelp. Although the precise botanical term 'Laminaria' or 'kelp' may be more specific than a B1 learner's label, the general referent is transparently derivable from the constituents.

Etymology

Sea tangle comes from the image of long brown seaweeds twisting and knotted together in the water. The words sea meaning the water and tangle meaning a knotted mass give a clear picture, so the phrase is used to mean 'kelp'.