noun
pimpernel
PIHM-puh-nehl
Pimpernel (noun) means a small wild plant with tiny red, white, or purple flowers, especially the scarlet pimpernel. Example: “Scarlet pimpernel grows wild along the edges of many English fields.”
noun
1
A small wild plant with tiny red, white, or purple flowers, especially the scarlet pimpernel.
"Scarlet pimpernel grows wild along the edges of many English fields."
2
A dashing, resourceful person who rescues others from danger, after the fictional Scarlet Pimpernel.
"He was hailed as a modern-day pimpernel for smuggling refugees to safety."
How to use pimpernel
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small wildflower, or (from the novel/character) a brave, daring rescuer.
Common pairings
scarlet pimpernel
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Word forms
- Plural
- pimpernels
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Scarlet _____ grows wild along the edges of many English fields.
Etymology
From Old French pimpinelle, traced back to a Medieval Latin word possibly linked to "pepper," due to the plant's peppercorn-like seeds.
Synonyms
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salad burnet
burnet bloodwort
Rhymes for pimpernel
See all rhymes for pimpernel →Frequently asked questions
What does “pimpernel” mean?
The word “pimpernel” means a small wild plant with tiny red, white, or purple flowers, especially the scarlet pimpernel. In plain terms, a small wildflower, or (from the novel/character) a brave, daring rescuer.
How do you pronounce “pimpernel”?
“Pimpernel” is pronounced PIHM-puh-nehl (/ˈpɪmpənɛl/ in IPA).
How do you use “pimpernel” in a sentence?
Here is “pimpernel” used in a sentence: “Scarlet pimpernel grows wild along the edges of many English fields.”
What part of speech is “pimpernel”?
“Pimpernel” is a noun.
Where does the word “pimpernel” come from?
The word “pimpernel” comes from Medieval Latin. From Old French pimpinelle, traced back to a Medieval Latin word possibly linked to "pepper," due to the plant's peppercorn-like seeds.
How many meanings does “pimpernel” have?
“Pimpernel” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small wild plant with tiny red, white, or purple flowers, especially the scarlet pimpernel.
