pansy

1 of 2

noun

pan·​sy ˈpan-zē 

plural pansies

1

: a garden plant (Viola wittrockiana) derived chiefly from the hybridization of the European Johnny-jump-up (Viola tricolor) with other wild violets

also : its flower

2

a

offensive : a weak or effeminate man or boy

—used as a term of abuse and disparagement

b

offensive : a gay man

—used as a term of abuse and disparagement

pansy

2 of 2

adjective

offensive

: effeminate sense 1

also : gay

—used as a term of abuse and disparagement

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English pancy, pensee, from Middle French pensée, from pensée thought, from feminine of pensé, past participle of penser to think, from Latin pensare to ponder — more at pensive

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1929, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing pansy

• wild pansy

Kids Definition

pansy

noun

pan·​sy

ˈpan-zē

plural pansies

: a garden plant that is related to the violets and has large velvety flowers with five petals usually in shades of yellow, purple, or brownish red

also : its flower