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.
QUIZZES
DISCOVER THE INFLUENCE OF PORTUGUESE ON ENGLISH VIA THIS QUIZ!
We’ve gathered some interesting words donated to English from Portuguese … as well as some that just don’t translate at all. Do you know what they mean?
Question 1 of 11
Which of the following animal names traces its immediate origin to Portuguese?
Origin of pimpernel
Words nearby pimpernel
pi meson, pimiento, pimola, pimozide, pimp, pimpernel, pimping, pimple, pimple copper, pimply, pimpmobile
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for pimpernel
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
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