Search Result for "onoclea_struthiopteris":
Wordnet 3.0

NOUN (1)

1. tall fern of northern temperate regions having graceful arched fronds and sporophylls resembling ostrich plumes;
[syn: ostrich fern, shuttlecock fern, fiddlehead, Matteuccia struthiopteris, Pteretis struthiopteris, Onoclea struthiopteris]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

ostrich \os"trich\ ([o^]s"trich), n. [OE. ostriche, ostrice, OF. ostruche, ostruce, F. autruche, L. avis struthio; avis bird + struthio ostrich, fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? bird, sparrow. Cf. Aviary, Struthious.] [Formerly written also estrich.] (Zool.) A large bird of the genus Struthio, of which Struthio camelus of Africa is the best known species. It has long and very strong legs, adapted for rapid running; only two toes; a long neck, nearly bare of feathers; and short wings incapable of flight. The adult male is about eight feet high. [1913 Webster] Note: The South African ostrich (Struthio australis) and the Asiatic ostrich are considered distinct species by some authors. Ostriches are now domesticated in South Africa in large numbers for the sake of their plumes. The body of the male is covered with elegant black plumose feathers, while the wings and tail furnish the most valuable white plumes. [1913 Webster] Ostrich farm, a farm on which ostriches are bred for the sake of their feathers, oil, eggs, etc. Ostrich farming, the occupation of breeding ostriches for the sake of their feathers, etc. Ostrich fern (Bot.) a kind of fern (Onoclea Struthiopteris), the tall fronds of which grow in a circle from the rootstock. It is found in alluvial soil in Europe and North America. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

fiddlehead \fid"dle*head`\ n. 1. any of several tall ferns of northern temperate regions having graceful arched fronds and sporophylls resembling ostrich plumes. Syn: ostrich fern, shuttlecock fern, Matteuccia struthiopteris, Pteretis struthiopteris, Onoclea struthiopteris. [WordNet 1.5] 2. New World fern (Osmunda cinnamonea) having woolly cinnamon-colored spore-bearing fronds in early spring later surrounded by green fronds, called also fiddlehead fern; the early uncurling fronds are edible, and sometimes considered as a vegetable delicacy. Syn: cinnamon fern, fiddlehead fern, Osmunda cinnamonea. [WordNet 1.5] 3. (Naut.) an ornament on a ship's bow, curved like the volute or scroll at the head of a violin. Sometimes it serves the function of a billhead. [1913 Webster +PJC]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

Onoclea struthiopteris n 1: tall fern of northern temperate regions having graceful arched fronds and sporophylls resembling ostrich plumes [syn: ostrich fern, shuttlecock fern, fiddlehead, Matteuccia struthiopteris, Pteretis struthiopteris, Onoclea struthiopteris]