hart's-tongue

noun

variants or hart's-tongue fern

plural hart's-tongues or hart's-tongue ferns

1

: a chiefly Eurasian fern (Phyllitis scolopendrium) with simple lanceolate fronds often auriculate at the base

2

: a tropical American fern (Polybotria cervina) of the family Polypodiaceae

3

: strap fern

Word History

Etymology

hart's-tongue from Middle English hertestonge, from hertes (genitive of hert hart) + tonge tongue; hart's-tongue fern from hart's-tongue + fern; from the shape of the fronds

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

1. Expanded definitions
2. Detailed etymologies
3. Advanced search tools
4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now

Rhymes for hart's-tongue

• among
• hirschsprung
• unsung
• bling
• bung
• clung
• dung
• flung
• fung
• hung
• lung
• rung