narcissus

[ nahr-sis-uhs ]

noun

, plural nar·cis·sus, nar·cis·sus·es, nar·cis·si [nahr-, sis, -ee, -, sis, -ahy]

1. any bulbous plant belonging to the genus Narcissus, of the amaryllis family, having showy yellow or white flowers with a cup-shaped corona.
2. the flower of any of these plants.
3. (initial capital letter) Classical Mythology. a youth who fell in love with his own image reflected in a pool and wasted away from unsatisfied desire, whereupon he was transformed into the flower.

Narcissus

¹

/ nɑːˈsɪsəs /

noun

1. Greek myth a beautiful youth who fell in love with his reflection in a pool and pined away, becoming the flower that bears his name

narcissus

²

/ nɑːˈsɪsəs /

noun

1. any amaryllidaceous plant of the Eurasian genus Narcissus, esp N. poeticus, whose yellow, orange, or white flowers have a crown surrounded by spreading segments

Narcissus

1. A beautiful youth in classical mythology who fell in love with his own reflection in a pool. Because he was unable to tear himself away from the image, he wasted away and died.

Notes

“Narcissists” are people completely absorbed in themselves. ( See narcissism .)

Word History and Origins

Origin of narcissus¹

1540–50; < Latin < Greek nárkissos plant name, traditionally connected, by virtue of plant's narcotic effects, with nárkē numbness, torpor. See narcotic

Word History and Origins

Origin of narcissus¹

C16: via Latin from Greek nárkissos, perhaps from narkē numbness, because of narcotic properties attributed to species of the plant