[lam-uh-nair-ee-uh] 
| any of various often very large kelps of the genus Laminaria, some species of which are the source of algins used as thickening or stabilizing agents in foodstuffs and other products. |
| lam·i·nar·i·a (lām'ə-nâr'ē-ə) n. Any of a genus of kelp, applied to the opening of the cervix in order to stimulate dilation. [New Latin Lāmināria, from Latin lāmina, thin sheet, leaf.] |
əˈnɛər