| hare's-foot fern | <botany> A species of fern (Davallia Canariensis) with a soft, gray, hairy rootstock; whence the name. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| sea fern | <zoology> Any gorgonian which branches like a fern. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| female fern | <botany> . A common species of fern with large decompound fronds (Asplenium Filixfaemina), growing in many countries; lady fern. The names male fern and female fern were anciently given to two common ferns; but it is now understood that neither has any sexual character. Synonym: Female, Feminine. We apply female to the sex or individual, as opposed to male; also, to the distinctive belongings of women; as, female dress, female form, female character, etc.; feminine, to things appropriate to, or affected by, women; as, feminine studies, employments, accomplishments, etc. "Female applies to sex rather than gender, and is a physiological rather than a grammatical term. Feminine applies to gender rather than sex, and is grammatical rather than physiological." Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| fern | <botany> 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. The plants are asexual, and bear clustered sporangia, containing minute spores, which germinate and form prothalli, on which are borne the true organs of reproduction. The brake or bracken, the maidenhair, and the polypody are all well known ferns. Christmas fern. See Christmas. <botany> Climbing fern The European goatsucker. The short-eared owl. Fern shaw, a fern thicket. Origin: AS. Fearn; akin to D. Varen, G. Farn, farnkraut; cf. Skr. Parna wing, feather, leaf, sort of plant, or Lith. Papartis fern. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| fern allies | <botany> A group of nonflowering vascular plants comprised of club mosses (Family Lycopodiaceae), small club mosses (Family Selaginellaceae) and quillworts (Family Isoetaceae). (09 Oct 1997) |
| fern test | A test for oestrogenic activity; cervical mucus smears form a fern pattern at those times when oestrogen secretion is elevated, as at the time of ovulation; a test to detect ruptured amniotic membranes. (05 Mar 2000) |