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

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.)