fern

¹

[ furn ]

noun

1. any seedless, nonflowering vascular plant of the class Filicinae, of tropical to temperate regions, characterized by true roots produced from a rhizome, triangular fronds that uncoil upward and have a branching vein system, and reproduction by spores contained in sporangia that appear as brown dots on the underside of the fronds.

Fern

²

[ furn ]

noun

1. a female given name.

fern

/ fɜːn /

noun

1. See tree fern
   any tracheophyte plant of the phylum Filicinophyta , having roots, stems, and fronds and reproducing by spores formed in structures (sori) on the fronds See also tree fern
2. any of certain similar but unrelated plants, such as the sweet fern

fern

/ fûrn /

1. Any of numerous seedless vascular plants belonging to the phylum Pterophyta that reproduce by means of spores and usually have feathery fronds divided into many leaflets. Most species of ferns are homosporous (producing only one kind of spore). The haploid spore grows into a small, usually flat gametophyte known as a prothallus , which is undifferentiated into roots, stems, and leaves. The green prothallus anchors itself with hairlike extensions known as rhizoids and bears both archegonia (organs producing female gametes) and antheridia (organs producing male gametes). The male gametes require the presence of water to swim to the female gametes and fertilize the eggs. Normally only one embryo is produced, and it then grows out of the gametophyte plant as a diploid sporophyte plant that has roots, stems, and leaves and conducts photosynthesis, while the smaller gametophyte withers away. The leaves of these sporophytes eventually produce sporangia (in some species occurring in clusters known as sori ). Under dry conditions, the sori burst releasing hundreds of thousands or millions of spores. Ferns were abundant in the Carboniferous period and exist today in about 11,000 species, about three-quarters of which live in tropical climates.

Derived Forms

• ˈferny, adjective
• ˈfernˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• fernless adjective
• fernlike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fern¹

before 900; Middle English ferne, Old English fearn; cognate with German Farn fern, Sanskrit parná feather

Word History and Origins

Origin of fern¹

Old English fearn ; related to Old High German farn , Sanskrit parná leaf

Example Sentences

Frances McDormand plays Fern, one of a growing number of American seniors who find themselves, at the end of a long life of working hard, with very little to show for it.

From Vox

In Nomadland, the same gorgeous landscapes emphasize the chest-pinching loneliness of a life like Fern’s.

From Vox

Swankie has been on the road for over 10 years—and her fictionalized counterpart strikes up a friendship with Fern before embarking on her own journey to Alaska.

From Time

Before they part ways, a young girl who Fern used to tutor tells her that her mother says Fern is homeless.

From Time

The possibility of snatching a flower or fern from the jaws of extinction has fired up a community of enthusiasts trying to document and protect what’s left of the rarest of native vegetation.

From Science News

“In my view, the silver fern is something which is applied to our greatest sporting teams,” said Key.

From The Daily Beast

She has received the Fern Holland Award from the Vital Voices Global Partnership for giving a voice to female victims.

From The Daily Beast

Mizrahi and Rowland will also serve as judges alongside fashion luminary and Senior Vice President of IMG Fashion, Fern Mallis.

From The Daily Beast

Fern cases were very much in vogue some years ago, and this is really a very delightful way of cultivating the plants.

From Project Gutenberg

Never grasp a Fern plant from above and try to pull it away, as this will be almost sure to result in damage.

From Project Gutenberg

If properly dried and pressed, it is possible to preserve the Fern fronds with a great deal of their natural colour.

From Project Gutenberg

Dwarfs in pointed hoods pricked with fern leaves whirled about these edifices in the airiest fashion.

From Project Gutenberg

For a moment he lay still; and a cool fern pressed comfortingly against his cheek.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• scrub
• thicket