Fern n.  Bot. An order of cryptogamous plants, the Filices, which have their fructification on the back of the fronds or leaves. They are usually found in humid soil, sometimes grow epiphytically on trees, and in tropical climates often attain a gigantic size.
 Note: ☞ The plants are asexual, and bear clustered sporangia, containing minute spores, which germinate and form prothalli, on which are borne the true organs of reproduction.  The brake or bracken, the maidenhair, and the polypody are all well known ferns.
 Christmas fern. See under Christmas.
 Climbing fern Bot., a delicate North American fern (Lygodium palmatum), which climbs several feet high over bushes, etc., and is much sought for purposes of decoration.
 Fern owl. Zool. (a) The European goatsucker. (b) The short-eared owl. [Prov. Eng.]
 Fern shaw, a fern thicket. [Eng.] --R. Browning.

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 Goat·suck·er n. Zool. One of several species of insectivorous birds, belonging to Caprimulgus and allied genera, esp. the European species (Caprimulgus Europæus); -- so called from the mistaken notion that it sucks goats. The European species is also goat-milker, goat owl, goat chaffer, fern owl, night hawk, nightjar, night churr, churr-owl, gnat hawk, and dorhawk.

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