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

/ frŏnd /

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.

Derived Forms

• ˈfrondless, adjective
• ˈfronded, adjective

Other Words From

• fronded 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

There, spongey disc-shaped, brown “nest” fronds soaked up this moisture.

From Science News For Students

This suggests a reproductive division of labor between the nest and strap frond types.

From Science News

Remove from the oven, drizzle with more olive oil, if desired, squeeze the remaining orange half over everything, and tear the mint leaves and fennel fronds over the peas.

From Washington Post

If you aren’t ready to confess your love for fennel just yet, then I hope I’ve at least convinced you to become fronds.

From Washington Post

Frilly, feathery fronds look similar to dill and remind me of a delicate lace.

From Washington Post

Near the banks, the water is shallow and her palm frond oars propel her.

From The Daily Beast

To keep the frond in position it may be useful to put a book on the paper as it is spread out.

From Project Gutenberg

Suddenly, however, I thought I detected a slight movement in a bracken frond beside the furze.

From Project Gutenberg

Each frond is composed of slender interwoven fibres with club-shaped filaments passing vertically to the surface.

From Project Gutenberg

Its frond is tubular, and the spore-clusters are situated on the tips of the branches, surrounded by a whorl of small branchlets.

From Project Gutenberg

The frond contains a single tube, and is jointed and forked, the joints being usually transparent.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• needle
• petal
• stalk