parsley fern

noun

: any of several plants with finely cut foliage that suggests that of parsley: such as

a

: a tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)

b(1)

: a lady fern (Athyrium felix-femina)

(2)

: a European rock brake (Cryptogramma crispa) that has a short creeping or ascending rhizome and densely tufted leaves of which the outer are sterile and the inner fertile and that grows chiefly on acid upland soils in cool regions

(3)

: rock fern sense c

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!