scarlet pimpernel

noun

See under pimpernel.

Origin of scarlet pimpernel

First recorded in 1850–55

Words nearby scarlet pimpernel

scarlet letter, scarlet letter, the, scarlet lightning, scarlet lychnis, scarlet monkey flower, scarlet pimpernel, scarlet red, scarlet runner, scarlet sage, scarlet tanager, scarlet woman

Definition for scarlet pimpernel (2 of 2)

pimpernel
[ pim-per-nel, -nl ]
/ ˈpɪm pərˌnɛl, -nl /

noun

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.

Origin of pimpernel

1400–50; late Middle English pympernele < Middle French pimprenelle, nasalized variant of Old French piprenelle < Late Latin *piperīnella, equivalent to piper pepper + -īn- -ine1 + -ella diminutive suffix; replacing Old English pipeneale < Late Latin pipīnella, syncopated variant of *piperīnella

British Dictionary definitions for scarlet pimpernel (1 of 2)

pimpernel
/ (ˈpɪmpəˌnɛl, -nəl) /

noun

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

Word Origin for pimpernel

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

British Dictionary definitions for scarlet pimpernel (2 of 2)

scarlet pimpernel

noun

a weedy primulaceous plant, Anagallis arvensis, of temperate regions, having small red, purple, or white star-shaped flowers that close in bad weather Also called: poor man's weatherglass, shepherd's weatherglass