Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

isoetes

noun
iso·​etes | \ īˈsōəˌtēz\

Definition of isoetes

1 capitalized : a large widely distributed genus (coextensive with the family Isoetaceae) of fern allies comprising the aquatic or marsh-growing quillworts that have a short buried lobed stem from which arises a tuft of quilt-shaped leaves bearing sporangia in their axils — see isoetales
2 plural isoetes : any plant of the genus Isoetes : quillwort sense 1

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!

History and Etymology for isoetes

New Latin, from Latin, houseleek, from Greek, from neuter of isoetēs equal in years, from is- + etos year

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about isoetes

Statistics for isoetes

Look-up Popularity

Comments on isoetes

What made you want to look up isoetes? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

teetotaler

someone who never drinks alcohol

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Homophone Quiz

  • three-bears-two-of-them-look-like-theyre-whispering-to-a-third-bear-who-looks-chuffed-to-be-the-center-of-attention
  • In order to judge how people felt, the senator's office hired a firm to take a ______.
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Citation

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games