First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
fern
noun \ˈfərn\
: a type of plant that has large, delicate leaves and no flowers
Full Definition of FERN
: any of a division (Filicophyta) or class (Filicopsida) of flowerless spore-producing vascular plants having alternating sporophyte and gametophyte generations; especially : any of an order (Filicales) of homosporous plants possessing roots, stems, and leaflike fronds — compare seed fern
— fern·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective
— ferny \ˈfər-nē\ adjective
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Origin of FERN
Middle English, from Old English fearn; akin to Old High German farn fern, Sanskrit parṇa wing, leaf
FERN Defined for Kids
fern
noun \ˈfərn\
Definition of FERN for Kids
: a plant that produces spores instead of seeds and no flowers and whose leaves are usually divided into many parts
— fern·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective
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