pimpernel

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a low-growing plant with small star-shaped flowers, especially the scarlet pimpernel or a related species

   Blue and red pimpernel grew side by side at the edge of the field.

From Middle English pimpernele, through Anglo-French and Medieval Latin pimpinella, the name of a medicinal herb. The Latin form was probably influenced by piper, 'pepper,' because the plant's fruit was likened to peppercorns.

Topics