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
fern′y adjective
fern Synonyms
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
- ‹ fermium
- ‹ fermion
- ‹ fermi
- ‹ fermentative
- ‹ fermentation
- ‹ ferment
- ‹ fermata
- ‹ Fermanagh
- ‹ ferity
- ‹ ferine
- fern bar ›
- fern seed ›
- Fernando de Noronha ›
- Fernando Póo ›
- fernery ›
- ferocious ›
- ferocity ›
- -ferous ›
- Ferrara ›
- ferrate ›

