A Grammatical Dictionary of Botanical Latin

Adiantum,-i (s.n.II); L. Maidenhair 'The ancient name, meaning unwetted, the foliage shedding rain-drops' (Fernald 1950) > Gk. adiantos, dry, unwetted; “so named because the leaflets repel water in a remarkable way – if plunged into water the fronds remain dry. Adiantaceae” (Stearn 1996).

Adiantum Capillus-Veneris L., epithet = 'old generic name, Venus' hair), Venus'-hair Fern (Fernald 1950) [> Gk. adiantos, dry, unwetted; adiantos,-on, also -E, -on (Gk. adj.) (alpha privat., + diainoO): unwetted; (as noun) Adiantos (s.n.II): maidenhair, 'maiden's hair' (Liddell & Scott) and adianton (s.n.II)].

Adiantum,-i (s.n.II), abl.sg. adianto = Gk. adianton, the plant maiden-hair (of Pliny); pure Latin capillus Veneris or capillaris herba” (Lewis & Short).

NOTE: adiantos (s.m.II) and adianton (s.n.II): “maidenhair, Adiantum Capillus-Veneris also = Gk. polytrichon (s.n.II) (Liddell & Scott) [i.e. polytrichum].

NOTE: the prefix adiant-, adianti- or adianto- makes compounds with either Latin or Greek elements.