Bot. [L., ad. Gr. ἀδίαντον maiden-hair, prop. adj. ‘unwetted,’ f. ἀ not + διαίν-ειν to wet; so called from the way in which the surfaces of the fronds resist wetting.]
1. A genus of ferns, having more or less wedge-shape pinnules on slender black shining stems, and marginal sori, covered by distinct indusia, of which one species (A. Capillus Veneris), commonly called True Maiden-hair, is a rare native of Britain.
1706. Phillips, Adiantum, The Herb Maiden-Hair, so call’d because its Leaves take no wet.
1866. Moore, Treas. Bot., 20. In Adiantum the spore-cases are not attached to the frond, but to the under side of the indusium.
2. Herb. and pop. The Black Maiden-hair, a species of Spleenwort (Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum).
1866. Cornh. Mag., Nov., 536. Maidenhair, black adiantum, and blue violets hanging from the brink.
