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fern Definition

fern (fʉrn)

noun

any of a widespread division (Filicophyta) of nonflowering embryophytes having roots, stems, and fronds, and reproducing by spores instead of by seeds

Etymology: ME < OE fearn < IE *porno-, leaf, feather (> Sans parna, feather, leaf) < base *per-, to transport, fly > fare

fern Related Forms

ferny adjective

fern Synonyms

fern

n.

fern Usage Examples

Possessives

adder: Over one hundred species of plant have been recorded here, including green winged orchid and adder's tongue fern.

Converse of object

grow: Prepare a potting media mix suitable for growing ferns in.

Adjective modifier

  • lemon-scented: In the more wooded areas royal fern and lemon-scented fern grow.
  • filmy: Filmy fern grows along the banks of the Sillees River as it runs through Correl Glen.
  • hardy: Tiny mosses, hardy ferns or miniature bulbs will add extra interest.
  • deciduous: This deciduous fern makes the perfect addition to moist margins of a pond or stream in sun or partial shade.
  • evergreen: If you have evergreen ferns you will need to trim off all the brown dead leaves to allow the fresh to grow through.
  • giant: The giant tree ferns are a wonder to behold.

Modifies a noun

  • frond: Yesterday, the third time we had used it, I was shredding dead tree fern fronds.
  • spore: People used to believe that if a person carried fern spores, they would become invisible.
  • ally: It was established in 1893 with the objective of fostering interest in ferns and fern allies.
  • leaf: The kiwi, like the fern leaf is often used as a national emblem.
  • specie: Polyploidy has featured in the evolutionary history of the vast majority of plants, including perhaps 95 % of fern species.
  • forest: Kauai is home to canyons and sea turtles, while Maui interweaves fern forests and underground caves.

Noun used with modifier

  • buckler: The fens are home to the nationally rare crested buckler fern.
  • maidenhair: The leaves resemble those of the maidenhair fern, hence its common name.
  • adder's-tongue: Pepper saxifrage, normally a lowland plant, and adder's-tongue fern also occur here.
  • hart's-tongue: Several rose species are found here and hart's-tongue fern is also present.
  • parsley: NOTES TO EDITORS: [ 1 ] Whernside SSSI is designated for its outstanding assemblage of plant species including parsley fern.
  • bracken: I did want a couple of bracken ferns but couldn't find them.

Browse dictionary entries near fern

  1. fermium
  2. fermion
  3. fermi
  4. fermentative
  5. fermentation
  6. ferment
  7. fermata
  8. Fermanagh
  9. ferity
  10. ferine
  1. fern bar
  2. fern seed
  3. Fernando de Noronha
  4. Fernando Póo
  5. fernery
  6. ferocious
  7. ferocity
  8. -ferous
  9. Ferrara
  10. ferrate