FERN

[fern] n [ME, fr. OE fearn; akin to OHG farn fern, Skt parna wing, leaf] (bef. 12c): any of a large class (Filicopsida) of flowerless spore-producing vascular plants; esp: any of an order (Filicales) of homosporous plants possessing roots, stems, and leaflike fronds -- fern.like adj -- ferny adj