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 narcissus
British Dictionary definitions for narcissus (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 narcissus (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 narcissus
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.)