frond

[frond]

noun

Botany.

1. an often large, finely divided leaf, especially as applied to the ferns and certain palms.

2. a leaflike expansion not differentiated into stem and foliage, as in lichens.

frond

/ frɒnd /

noun

1. a large compound leaf, esp of a fern

2. the thallus of a seaweed or a lichen

frond

1. A leaf of a fern or cycad, usually consisting of multiple leaflets.

2. A large, fanlike leaf of a palm tree.

3. A leaflike structure such as the thallus of a lichen or a seaweed.

Other Word Forms

• fronded adjective
• frondless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of frond¹

1745–55; < Latin frond- (stem of frōns ) branch, bough, foliage

Word History and Origins

Origin of frond¹

C18: from Latin frōns

Example Sentences

“If I close my eyes I can see it: the graceful fronds waving in the breeze....”

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Growing near the mouth of a cave was a type of fern known as a wicker fern, named so because its fronds had the densely woven appearance of wicker.

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“Frond,” Alexander corrected, for the plant in question was, in fact, a fern, and thus its leaves were properly called fronds.

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She quickly wrapped a kelp frond around her torso, smeared sand over her limbs, placed seashells on her head, and nestled into the ground.

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Mourners have been carrying branches and palm fronds, a symbol of mourning and grief among the Luo ethnic group to which Odinga belonged.

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Related Words

• needle 
• petal 
• stalk