Word Study
[2x]
: Pâ Pæ Pè Pé Pœ P- P. P/ P< Pa Pb Pc Pd Pe Pf Ph Pi Pj Pk Pl Pm Pn Po Pp Pr Ps Pt Pu Pv Pw Px Py
pimpernel
CIDE DICTIONARY
pimpernel, n. [F. pimprenelle; cf. Sp. pimpinela, It. pimpinella; perh. from LL. bipinnella, for bipinnula two-winged, equiv. to L. bipennis; bis twice + penna feather, wing. Cf. Pen a feather.].
A plant of the genus Anagallis , of which one species (Anagallis arvensis ) has small flowers, usually scarlet, but sometimes purple, blue, or white, which speedily close at the approach of bad weather. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
pimpernel, n. any plant of the genus Anagallis, esp. = scarlet pimpernel.
Etymology
ME f. OF pimpernelle, piprenelle ult. f. L piper PEPPER
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