Subscriber login


Forgot your password?

Library card login

Other

pansy

Pronunciation: /ˈpanzi/
Translate pansy | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of pansy

noun (plural pansies)

  • 1a cultivated variety of viola with brightly coloured flowers.
    • Genus Viola, family Violaceae: several species and hybrids, in particular V. × wittrockiana
  • 2 informal, derogatory an effeminate or homosexual man.
  • 3South African a sand dollar with a flower-like purple marking on the shell.
    • Echinodiscus bisperforatus, class Echinoidea

Origin:

late Middle English: from French pensée 'thought, pansy', from penser 'think', from Latin pensare, frequentative of pendere 'weigh, consider'

pansy in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of pansy in the US English dictionary
  |  Cite
Oxford Dictionaries Pro

For Oxford's best resources for writers, plus thesaurus, audio, and 1.9m examples.

Shop for an Oxford dictionary

Find the perfect Oxford dictionary for you in our online shop.
SHOP NOW ►

Word of the day

cur

/ kəː /
noun
an aggressive or unkempt dog …