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pimpernel

[ pim-per-nel, -nl ]

noun

  1. 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.


pimpernel

/ ˈpɪmpəˌnɛl; -nəl /

noun

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


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Word History and Origins

Origin of pimpernel1

1400–50; late Middle English pympernele < Middle French pimprenelle, nasalized variant of Old French piprenelle < Late Latin *piperīnella, equivalent to piper pepper + -īn- -ine 1 + -ella diminutive suffix; replacing Old English pipeneale < Late Latin pipīnella, syncopated variant of *piperīnella

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Word History and Origins

Origin of pimpernel1

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

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Example Sentences

A faintly embarrassing situation this, even for an ancestor of the elusive Pimpernel.

His failure in bringing that interfering Scarlet Pimpernel to justice and the guillotine had completed Chauvelin's downfall.

She was a prisoner in the hands of those who long ago had sworn to bring The Scarlet Pimpernel to death!

It would require more than the ingenuity of the Scarlet Pimpernel himself to untie this Gordian knot.

As for the Scarlet Pimpernel, Chauvelin could not very well conceive what he would do under these present circumstances.

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pimppimping