a cultivated fern (Nephrolepis exaltata var. bostoniensis) with odd-pinnate leaves, used as a house plant
Boston fern in American English
noun
a variety of sword fern, Nephrolepsis exaltata bostoniensis, having long, narrow, drooping fronds
Word origin
[1895–1900]This word is first recorded in the period 1895–1900. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: backstage, backwind, calling card, frame of reference, hit-and-run