pimpernel

[ pim-per-nel, -nl ]

/ ˈpɪm pərˌnɛl, -nl /

noun

a plant belonging to the genus Anagallis, of the primrose family, especially A. arvensis (scarlet pimpernel), having scarlet or white flowers that close at the approach of bad weather.

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Origin of pimpernel

1400–50; late Middle English pympernele < Middle French pimprenelle, nasalized variant of Old French piprenelle < Late Latin *piperīnella, equivalent to piper pepper + -īn- -ine¹ + -ella diminutive suffix; replacing Old English pipeneale < Late Latin pipīnella, syncopated variant of *piperīnella

Words nearby pimpernel

pimentón, pimiento, pimola, pimp, pimp up, pimpernel, pimping, pimple, pimple copper, pimply, pimpmobile

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for pimpernel

The latter part of Mrs. Pimpernel's speech bore relation to a hard newspaper parcel, which she dropped into Mary's lap.
John Marchmont's Legacy, Volumes I-III|Mary E. Braddon
"She hates you, Pimpernel," said Mrs. Wolfstein to her friend.
The Woman With The Fan|Robert Hichens
Primulace, to which belongs the Pimpernel, the 'poor man's weather-glass'.
The New Gresham Encyclopedia. Vol. 1 Part 2|Various
"My Pimpernel," he called it, and rough as the work was at that stage, it was full of beauty and promise.
Janet of the Dunes|Harriet T. Comstock

If this goes on Pimpernel's imitation will soon be completely out of date.
The Woman With The Fan|Robert Hichens

British Dictionary definitions for pimpernel

pimpernel

/ (ˈpɪmpəˌnɛl, -nəl) /

noun

any of several plants of the primulaceous genus Anagallis, such as the scarlet pimpernel, typically having small star-shaped flowers

any of several similar and related plants, such as Lysimachia nemorum (yellow pimpernel)

Word Origin for pimpernel

C15: from Old French pimpernelle, ultimately from Latin piper pepper; compare Old English pipeneale

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012