pansy
1 of 2noun
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 2adjective
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
Kids Definition
pansy
noun
pan·sy ˈpan-zē
plural pansies
: a garden plant related to the violets that has large velvety colorful flowers