woodsia

[ woo d-zee-uh ]

/ ˈwʊd zi ə /

noun

any of various small ferns of the genus Woodsia, of northern temperate, alpine, and arctic regions, having short, stout stalks, usually lance-shaped fronds, and often covered with fine hairs: common on mountains in rocky ledges and crevices.

Nearby words

woods colt, woods, tiger, woodscrew, woodser, woodshed, woodsia, woodsman, woodson, woodson, carter godwin, woodstock, woodswallow

Origin of woodsia

< New Latin (1815), after Joseph Woods (1776–1864), English botanist; see -ia

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for woodsia

Thought by some botanists to be a smooth form of Woodsia ilvensis.
The Fern Lover's Companion|George Henry Tilton
Although the two common species of Woodsia were near at hand, Woodsia glabella was still eluding my search.
How to Know the Ferns|Frances Theodora Parsons
We discussed the Woodsia Ilvensis and agreed that it was a mythical species.
The Note-Books of Samuel Butler|Samuel Butler
Mr. Frost, to whom they were first submitted, pronounced them Woodsia glabella.
How to Know the Ferns|Frances Theodora Parsons

In this first blind endeavor I got, of course, no clew to Woodsia glabella.
How to Know the Ferns|Frances Theodora Parsons

British Dictionary definitions for woodsia

woodsia

/ (ˈwʊdzɪə) /

noun

any small fern of the genus Woodsia, of temperate and cold regions, having tufted rhizomes and numerous wiry fronds: family Polypodiaceae

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012