fern seed

American  

noun

1. the spores of ferns, formerly supposed to have the power to make persons invisible.

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fern seed British  

noun

1. the minute particles by which ferns reproduce themselves, formerly thought to be invisible. Possession of them was thought to make a person invisible

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Etymology

Origin of fern seed

First recorded in 1590–1600

Example Sentences

She sat rocking herself to and fro in her sorrow, while the old woman threw the fern seed, picked, alas! too late, into the driftwood fire.

From A Fortunate Term by Brazil, Angela

"We have the receipt of fern seed: we walk invisible."

From Poems by Cawein, Madison Julius

I'll gather some fern seed and drop it in the cradle.

From A Fortunate Term by Brazil, Angela

John, I remember, always carried some fern seed in his trouser-pocket.

From Olivia in India by Douglas, O.

May the magic of fern seed fill your eyes and let you see visions, the goodly things of heart's desire, when, all being accomplished, you pause and look at the work of your hands.

From The Garden, You, and I by Wright, Mabel Osgood