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
- keep one's feet on the ground
- keep one's finger on the pulse of
- keep one's fingers crossed
- keep one's guard up
- keep one's hand in
- keep one's hands off
- keep one's hands off of
- keep one's head
- keep one's head above water
- keep one's head down
- keep one's lip buttoned
- keep one's lips buttoned
- keep one's mind off
- keep one's mind on
- keep one's mouth shut
- keep one's nose clean
- keep one's nose out of
- keep one's nose to the grindstone
- keep one's options open
- keep one's pecker up
- keep one's powder dry
- keep one's promise
- keep one's side of the bargain
- keep one's silence
- keep one's temper