pan·sy 
(p

n

z

)
KEY NOUN: pl. pan·sies
- Any of various plants of the genera Achimenes or Viola, especially V. tricolor or its hybrids, having flowers with velvety petals of various colors.
- A deep to strong violet.
- Offensive Slang
- Used as a disparaging term for a man or boy who is considered effeminate.
- 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