narcissus

[ nahr-sis-uh s ]
/ nɑrˈsɪs əs /

noun, plural nar·cis·sus, nar·cis·sus·es, nar·cis·si [nahr-sis-ee, -sis-ahy] /nɑrˈsɪs i, -ˈsɪs aɪ/ for 1, 2.

any bulbous plant belonging to the genus Narcissus, of the amaryllis family, having showy yellow or white flowers with a cup-shaped corona.
the flower of any of these plants.
(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.

Origin of narcissus

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

Words nearby narcissus

narceine, narcissism, narcissist, narcissistic, narcissistic personality, narcissus, narco, narco-, narcoanalysis, narcodiagnosis, narcodollar

Example sentences from the Web for narcissi

British Dictionary definitions for narcissi (1 of 2)

narcissus
/ (nɑːˈsɪsəs) /

noun plural -cissuses or -cissi (-ˈsɪsaɪ, -ˈsɪsiː)

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

Word Origin for narcissus

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

British Dictionary definitions for narcissi (2 of 2)

Narcissus
/ (nɑːˈsɪsəs) /

noun

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

Cultural definitions for narcissi

Narcissus

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 for Narcissus

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