pimpernel

[ pim-per-nel, -nl ]

noun

1. 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.

pimpernel

/ -nəl; ˈpɪmpəˌnɛl /

noun

1. any of several plants of the primulaceous genus Anagallis, such as the scarlet pimpernel, typically having small star-shaped flowers
2. any of several similar and related plants, such as Lysimachia nemorum ( yellow pimpernel )

Word History and Origins

Origin of pimpernel¹

1400–50; late Middle English pympernele < Middle French pimprenelle, nasalized variant of Old French piprenelle < Late Latin *piperīnella, equivalent to piper pepper + -īn- -ine ¹ + -ella diminutive suffix; replacing Old English pipeneale < Late Latin pipīnella, syncopated variant of *piperīnella

Word History and Origins

Origin of pimpernel¹

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

Example Sentences

Her hands shielded from the gusts of February air by a well-worn pair of gardening gloves, Rachel carefully places tree spinach and scarlet pimpernel seeds into brown plastic pots.

From BBC

The earth was soft and crumbling, with a scattering of the weeds that are found in cultivated fields—fumitory, charlock, pimpernel and mayweed, all growing in the green gloom under the bean leaves.

From Literature

But at the same time, the botany team has been buoyed by the discovery of native species that were not known to inhabit the park, including marsh seedbox and yellow-seeded false pimpernel.

From New York Times

The rose was awake, though the pimpernel slept.

From Project Gutenberg

The dandelion, pimpernel, red clover, silver maple are good examples of this, but they would not be of much use in the North Woods.

From Project Gutenberg