fern
UK: fɜːn | US: fɜːrn
n. A flowerless green plant with feathery leaves, reproducing via spores and typically growing in shady, damp environments.
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"Fern" traces back to Proto-Germanic farną, likely linked to the plant's feathery appearance (compare Old High German farn and Old Norse fjǫrn). The term has remained structurally unchanged in English for over a millennium, reflecting its status as a core botanical noun. Its persistence highlights the retention of ancient nature vocabulary in Germanic languages.
The forest floor was carpeted with lush green ferns.
She carefully transplanted a fern into her shaded garden.
Ferns thrive in humid climates with indirect sunlight.
Fossil records show ferns existed over 360 million years ago.
The hiker brushed against dew-covered ferns along the trail.