narcissus

[ nahr-sis-uhs ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, plural nar·cis·sus, nar·cis·sus·es, nar·cis·si [nahr-, sis, -ee, -, sis, -ahy]

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.

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

narcissus

/ nɑːˈsɪsəs /

noun

any amaryllidaceous plant of the Eurasian genus Narcissus, esp N. poeticus, whose yellow, orange, or white flowers have a crown surrounded by spreading segments

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.

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Notes

“Narcissists” are people completely absorbed in themselves. ( See narcissism .)

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Word History and Origins

Origin of narcissus¹

1540–50; < Latin < Greek nárkissos plant name, traditionally connected, by virtue of plant's narcotic effects, with nárkē numbness, torpor. See narcotic

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Word History and Origins

Origin of narcissus¹

C16: via Latin from Greek nárkissos, perhaps from narkē numbness, because of narcotic properties attributed to species of the plant

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Example Sentences

Calm down and reacquaint yourself with the myth of Narcissus.

From The Daily Beast

At first glance, this makes us seem even worse than Narcissus.

From The Daily Beast

“I am going to be the nominee,” the modern-day Narcissus declared while gazing at his reflection in the polls.

From The Daily Beast

We set the Narcissus poeticus bulbs where, if they grew, the flowers could look at themselves in the mirror below the dam.

From Project Gutenberg

Maugiron was playing with Narcissus, the large greyhound, and Quelus was sitting near.

From Project Gutenberg

Not so, sire; I place Narcissus far above you, for he knows how to defend himself, and you do not.

From Project Gutenberg

Zelphine and I have decided that we will never acknowledge this to be a Dionysus or anything less poetic than the Narcissus.

From Project Gutenberg

The “Times” is the secluded pool into which England loves to gaze when it plays the rle of Narcissus.

From Project Gutenberg

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[tawr-choo-uhs ]

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