Phrase guide

shield fern

noun · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

Certain ferns with elements of shield-like appearance, principally of four genera:

Dryopteris (buckler ferns)

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

Certain ferns with elements of shield-like appearance, principally of four genera:

Lastreopsis spp.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

Certain ferns with elements of shield-like appearance, principally of four genera:

Polystichum spp.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

Certain ferns with elements of shield-like appearance, principally of four genera:

Sticherus spp.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: Australia

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

noun

Meaning 5

any of various ferns of the genera Dryopteris or Polystichum or Lastreopsis having somewhat shield-shaped coverings on the sori

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: buckler fern

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: fern

Narrower terms: broad buckler-fern, Dryopteris dilatata, Goldie's fern, Goldie's shield fern, goldie's wood fern, Dryopteris goldiana, soft shield fern, Polystichum setiferum

History

Etymology

From the shape of the indusia that cover the fern's sori (spores).

Across languages

Translations

2 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • German: Schildfarn — Translations
  • German: Farechruut — Translations