pim·per·nel (p m p r-n l , -nl)n. Any of various plants of the genus Anagallis, especially the scarlet pimpernel (A. arvensis) having opposite, entire leaves and small red, purple, or white flowers. [Middle English pimpernelle, from Old French, alteration of piprenelle, from Late Latin pimpinella, perhaps from Latin piper, pepper; see pepper.] |
pimpernel [ˈpɪmpəˌnɛl -nəl]
n
1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants) any of several plants of the primulaceous genus Anagallis, such as the scarlet pimpernel, typically having small star-shaped flowers
2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants) any of several similar and related plants, such as Lysimachia nemorum (yellow pimpernel)
[from Old French pimpernelle, ultimately from Latin piper pepper; compare Old English pipeneale]
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  pimpernel - European garden herb with purple-tinged flowers and leaves that are sometimes used for saladssalad burnet - leaves sometimes used for salad herb, herbaceous plant - a plant lacking a permanent woody stem; many are flowering garden plants or potherbs; some having medicinal properties; some are pests genus Poterium, Poterium - a genus of thorny herbs or shrubs of the family Rosaceae |
| 2. | pimpernel - any of several plants of the genus Anagallis Anagallis, genus Anagallis - chiefly Old World herbs Anagallis arvensis, poor man's weatherglass, red pimpernel, scarlet pimpernel - herb with scarlet or white or purple blossoms that close at approach of rainy weather Anagallis tenella, bog pimpernel - small creeping European herb having delicate pink flowers herb, herbaceous plant - a plant lacking a permanent woody stem; many are flowering garden plants or potherbs; some having medicinal properties; some are pests |
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