noun
frond
FRAHND/frɑːnd/
A large, divided leaf, especially of a fern or palm.
A long fern frond arches over the edge of the pot.
Etymology
Latin frons meant a leafy branch or foliage. Botanical usage narrowed this broad greenery word to the distinctive leaf-like organs of ferns, palms, and similar plants.
In context
if you turn a fern leaf often referred to as a frond if you take a fern leaf and flip it over you might often see this pattern on the reverse
More examples
- Palm fronds sway above the sidewalk.
- She trims a brown frond from the fern.
- New fronds slowly uncurl as the fern grows.
Forms
frond · fronds
Similar words
- leaf
- A broader term that does not imply size or division.