moonwort

[ moon-wurt, -wawrt ]

noun

1. any fern of the genus Botrychium, especially B. lunaria, a rare fern having fronds with crescent-shaped leaflets.
2. honesty ( def 4 ).

moonwort

/ ˈmuːnˌwɜːt /

noun

1. Also called (US)grape fern any of various ferns of the genus Botrychium, esp B. lunaria, which has crescent-shaped leaflets
2. another name for honesty

Word History and Origins

Origin of moonwort¹

First recorded in 1570–80; moon + wort ²

Example Sentences

Moonwort has (or perhaps had) a miraculous effect on iron, with power to open locks or unshoe horses.

From Project Gutenberg

Soldanel, sol′da-nel, n. a plant of the genus Soldanella, of the order Primulace—the blue moonwort.

From Project Gutenberg

I have the wild rosehip, and the flat shield of the moonwort, and a pea-pod, and more whose names I know not.

From Project Gutenberg