n.
Pronunciation: ' f ə rn
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English fearn; akin to Old High German farn fern, Sanskrit par ṇ a wing, leaf
Date: before 12th century
: 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 \ - ˌ l ī k \ adjective
– ferny \ ' f ə r-n ē \ adjective