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red tide
noun
- a brownish-red discoloration of marine waters caused by the presence of enormous numbers of certain microscopic flagellates, especially the dinoflagellates, that often produce a potent neurotoxin that accumulates in the tissues of shellfish, making them poisonous when eaten by humans and other vertebrates.
red tide
noun
- a discoloration of sea water caused by an explosive growth in phytoplankton density: sometimes toxic to fish life and, through accumulation in shellfish, to humans
red tide
- A population explosion of certain species of dinoflagellates, a kind of protozoan found in plankton. The dinoflagellates color the water red or reddish-brown and secrete a toxin that kills fish. Red tide usually occurs in warm coastal waters.
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Word History and Origins
Origin of red tide1
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Example Sentences
While researchers don’t yet have an answer for whether clouds disperse algae that go on to form red tides, the question is definitely worth discussing during your next teatime chat.
Though the red tide is rising, overconfidence can swamp even the best campaign strategists.
The red tide now poured from all sides of the monster like brooks down a hill.
A drifting peal of laughter from somewhere brought his chin up, and a red tide flooded into his cheeks.
Back and forth across that narrow line surged the red tide without decisive changes in position.
Thus for weeks the red tide of war ebbed and flowed, while civilization trembled in the balance.
I am sick at heart to think of what may happen to this little village if the red tide of war rolls over it.
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