fern seed

noun

1. the spores of ferns, formerly supposed to have the power to make persons invisible.

fern seed

noun

1. the minute particles by which ferns reproduce themselves, formerly thought to be invisible. Possession of them was thought to make a person invisible

Word History and Origins

Origin of fern seed¹

First recorded in 1590–1600

Example Sentences

She sat rocking herself to and fro in her sorrow, while the old woman threw the fern seed, picked, alas!

From Project Gutenberg

At one period it was believed that "fern-seed," as the fern-spores were called, possessed various miraculous powers.

From Project Gutenberg

Nay, I think rather you are more beholden to the night than to fern-seed, for your walking invisible.

From Project Gutenberg

Prance and the sentries had, for each other, the secret of fern-seed, they walked invisible.

From Project Gutenberg

The first thing to be done was to get rid of the fern-seed which she now regarded as a hateful thing.

From Project Gutenberg