Definition of pansy

Email this page to a friend

< panspermia

pant >

pan·sy    (pnz) KEY 

NOUN:
pl. pan·sies

1. Any of various plants of the genera Achimenes or Viola, especially V. tricolor or its hybrids, having flowers with velvety petals of various colors.
2. A deep to strong violet.
3. Offensive Slang
   1. Used as a disparaging term for a man or boy who is considered effeminate.
   2. Used as a disparaging term for a homosexual man.

---

ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English pancy, from Old French pensee, thought, remembrance, pansy, from feminine past participle of penser, to think ; see pensive