Archaeopteris

noun

Ar·​chae·​op·​ter·​is

ˌärkēˈäptərə̇s

: a genus of fossil plants especially characteristic of the Devonian that were formerly regarded as ferns but are now generally included in the order Cycadofilicales

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from archae- + -pteris

First Known Use

circa 1909, in the meaning defined above

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!