narcissus

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a bulbous spring-flowering plant with white, yellow, or orange trumpet-shaped flowers, including daffodils and jonquils

   A cluster of white narcissus bloomed beside the garden path.

2. 2
   noun

   a beautiful and self-absorbed young man, by reference to Narcissus in Greek mythology

   The portrait presents its subject as a modern Narcissus entranced by his own beauty.

Simplified etymology

Narcissus, the flower name, comes from Narcissus, the beautiful youth of Greek mythology who died after becoming infatuated with his reflection. The deeper origin of the Greek name is unknown and is probably a borrowing from an earlier language; its traditional association with Greek narkoun, “make numb,” is uncertain.

From Latin narcissus and Greek narkissos, the flower name and the name of the mythic youth who fell in love with his reflection. The Greek word may be Pre-Greek or connected with narke, 'numbness,' perhaps because the plant was thought to have narcotic effects.

Topics

External links

• Google Images
• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary