Fern
[fɜːn] or [fɝn]
[fɝn]
Definition
(noun.) any of numerous flowerless and seedless vascular plants having true roots from a rhizome and fronds that uncurl upward; reproduce by spores.
Checked by Jo--From WordNet
Definition
(adv.) Long ago.
(a.) Ancient; old. [Obs.] "Pilgrimages to . . . ferne halwes." [saints].
(n.) An order of cryptogamous plants, the Filices, which have their fructification on the back of the fronds or leaves. They are usually found in humid soil, sometimes grow epiphytically on trees, and in tropical climates often attain a gigantic size.
Checker: Rupert
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. Brake.
Typist: Wanda
Definition
n. one of the beautiful class of higher or vascular cryptogamous plants—the natural order Filices.—ns. Fern′ery a place for rearing ferns; Fern′-owl the European goatsucker or night-jar; Fern′-seed the spores of ferns which properly gathered render the bearers invisible; Fern′shaw a thicket of ferns; Fern′ticle a freckle.—adjs. Fern′ticled; Fern′y.
Inputed by Davis
Unserious Contents or Definition
To see ferns in dreams, foretells that pleasant hours will break up gloomy forebodings. To see them withered, indicates that much and varied illness in your family connections will cause you grave unrest.
Typed by Aileen
Examples
- The lower levels of the Mesozoic land were no doubt covered by great fern brakes and shrubby bush and a kind of jungle growth of trees. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- The palish, gnarled trunks showed ghostly, and like old priests in the hovering distance, the fern rose magical and mysterious. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- Rub up well the croton oil and extract of male fern with the acacia, and form into an emulsion with the decoction. William K. David. Secrets of Wise Men, Chemists and Great Physicians.
- As soon as he arrived he laid her down carefully by the entrance, and then ran and cut with his pocketknife an armful of the dryest fern. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- Before she could speak, Annie had the cover off, and all were exclaiming at the lovely roses, heath, and fern within. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- Wildeve snatched up the lantern and began anxiously prowling among the furze and fern. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- As their eyes grew accustomed to the darkness they perceived faint greenish points of light among the grass and fern. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- The brakes of furze and fern terminated abruptly round the margin, and the grass was unbroken. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- Up from among the fern in the hollow, and winding by the bridle-road among the trees, comes sometimes to this lonely spot the sound of horses' hoofs. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- Thomasin turned and rolled aside the fern from another nook, where more mellow fruit greeted her with its ripe smell. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- Wildeve bade her a tender farewell, and plunged across the fern and furze, Eustacia slowly walking on. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- When D'Arnot regained consciousness, he found himself lying upon a bed of soft ferns and grasses beneath a little A shaped shelter of boughs. Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes.
- Christian turned and flung himself on the ferns in a convulsion of remorse, O, what shall I do with my wretched self? Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- The lower mosses must live in damp, and even the development of the spore of the ferns demands at certain stages extreme wetness. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- For many days D'Arnot lay upon his bed of soft ferns. Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes.
- Then she raised it to her lips, and crushing it there buried her face in the soft ferns, sobbing. Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes.
- Amy was sketching a group of ferns, and Jo was knitting as she read aloud. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- Clym took the hand which was already bared for him--it was a favourite way with them to walk bare hand in bare hand--and led her through the ferns. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- Tracing mile after mile along between the dying ferns and the wet white spiders' webs, she at length turned her steps towards her grandfather's house. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- Then he clambered up to the rim of the hollow, and crawled about among the ferns and bushes. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes.
- Wildeve contemplated her for a minute, and then retreating into the heath beat the ferns lightly, whereupon moths flew out alarmed. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- Suddenly he arose, and, bidding D'Arnot good night as he had learned to do, threw himself upon the couch of ferns that had been Jane Porter's. Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes.
- Then he went back again into the jungle and in a few minutes reappeared with a quantity of soft grasses and ferns. Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes.
Checker: Uriah