I. ˈpan-zē noun
( plural pansies )
Etymology: 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
Date: 15th century
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. usually disparaging : a weak or effeminate man or boy
b. usually disparaging : a male homosexual
II. adjective
Date: 1929
usually disparaging : effeminate 1 ; also : homosexual