dead-man's-fingers

noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction

variants or dead-men's-fingers

1

: any of several European orchids (genus Orchis) having pale digitate roots (especially O. mascula, O. maculata, O. latifolia, and O. morio)

2

: any of several other plants: such as

a

: bird's-foot trefoil sense 1a

b

: cuckoopint

c

: meadow foxtail grass

3

: the fruiting bodies of fungi of the genus Xylaria (especially X. polymorpha)

4

a

: a fleshy alcyonarian (Alcyonium digitatum) usually lobed or digitate in form

b

: a white or grayish digitately branching sponge (Chalina arbuscula) of the Atlantic coast

5

: dead man

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