hart's-tongue

or harts-tongue

[ hahrts-tuhng ]

noun

1. a fern, Phyllitis scolopendrium, having long, leathery, wavy-edged leaves.

hart's-tongue

noun

1. an evergreen Eurasian fern, Asplenium scolopendrium, with narrow undivided fronds bearing rows of sori: family Polypodiaceae

Word History and Origins

Origin of hart's-tongue¹

First recorded in 1275–1325, hart's-tongue is from Middle English hertis tonge. See hart, 's ¹, tongue

Example Sentences

It did not turn up at the ends like Barretts elder brothers, but grew over his mouth like harts tongue hanging over a well.

From Project Gutenberg

On one side of the fireplace—now filled with a brown and gasping harts-tongue fern in an earthen pot—was Ethel's bookshelf.

From Project Gutenberg

It may be distilled with milk for weak people and children, with Harts-tongue and Elecampance.

From Project Gutenberg