fern-seedn.

Brit.

/ˈfəːnsiːd/, U.S.

/ˈfərnˌsid/

Forms: see fern n.¹ and seed n.

Origin: Formed within English, by compounding. Etymons: fern n.¹, seed n.

Etymology: < fern n.¹ + seed n.

The ‘seed’ of the fern. Before the mode of reproduction of ferns was understood, they were popularly supposed to produce an invisible seed, which was capable of communicating its invisibility to any person who possessed it.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > invisibility > [noun] > thing or person > thing making invisible

fern-seed1598

1598 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 ii. i. 87 Wee haue the receyte of Ferneseede, wee walke inuisible.

1631 B. Jonson New Inne i. vi. 18 I had No med'cine, Sir, to goe inuisible: No Ferne-seed in my pocket.

1756 C. Smart Horatian Canons of Friendship 76 Ask thy heart, if Custom..Hath sown no undiscover'd fern-seed there.

1815 W. Scott Guy Mannering III. vi. 108 They say she has gathered the fern-seed, and can gang ony gate she likes.

1859 G. A. Sala Twice round Clock (1861) 266 We..are in the receipt of fern-seed, and can walk invisible.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1895; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

单词	fern-seed
释义	fern-seedn. Brit. /ˈfəːnsiːd/, U.S. /ˈfərnˌsid/ Forms: see fern n.¹ and seed n. Origin: Formed within English, by compounding. Etymons: fern n.¹, seed n. Etymology: < fern n.¹ + seed n. The ‘seed’ of the fern. Before the mode of reproduction of ferns was understood, they were popularly supposed to produce an invisible seed, which was capable of communicating its invisibility to any person who possessed it. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > invisibility > [noun] > thing or person > thing making invisible fern-seed1598 1598 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 ii. i. 87 Wee haue the receyte of Ferneseede, wee walke inuisible. 1631 B. Jonson New Inne i. vi. 18 I had No med'cine, Sir, to goe inuisible: No Ferne-seed in my pocket. 1756 C. Smart Horatian Canons of Friendship 76 Ask thy heart, if Custom..Hath sown no undiscover'd fern-seed there. 1815 W. Scott Guy Mannering III. vi. 108 They say she has gathered the fern-seed, and can gang ony gate she likes. 1859 G. A. Sala Twice round Clock (1861) 266 We..are in the receipt of fern-seed, and can walk invisible. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1895; most recently modified version published online March 2022). < n.1598
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