spleenwort

American  

[spleen-wurt, -wawrt] / ˈsplinˌwɜrt, -ˌwɔrt /

noun

1. any of various temperate and tropical ferns of the genera Asplenium and Diplazium, certain species of which are grown as ornamentals.

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spleenwort British  

/ ˈspliːnˌwɜːt /

noun

1. any of various ferns of the genus Asplenium, esp A. trichomanes, that often grows on walls, having linear or oblong sori on the undersurface of the fronds See also asplenium

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Etymology

Origin of spleenwort

First recorded in 1570–80; spleen + wort ²

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

spleenwort

Plant maidenhair spleenwort in a container, where you can appreciate its beauty up close.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 18, 2023

Still other species of ferns are known to hybridize more or less, as we saw in the case of Scott's spleenwort.

From The Fern Lover's Companion A Guide for the Northeastern States and Canada by George Henry Tilton

The Scott's spleenwort, on the dedication page, is reprinted from Clute's "Our Ferns in Their Haunts."

From The Fern Lover's Companion A Guide for the Northeastern States and Canada by George Henry Tilton

In regard to the last member of the group, the narrow-leaved spleenwort, there is more doubt.

From The Fern Lover's Companion A Guide for the Northeastern States and Canada by George Henry Tilton

Also, the black maidenhair, a species of spleenwort.

From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary by Noah Webster