from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Pimpernel \Pim"per*nel\, n. [F. pimprenelle; cf. Sp. pimpinela,
It. pimpinella; perh. from LL. bipinnella, for bipinnula
two-winged, equiv. to L. bipennis; bis twice + penna feather,
wing. Cf. {Pen} a feather.] (Bot.)
A plant of the genus {Anagallis}, of which one species
({Anagallis arvensis}) has small flowers, usually scarlet,
but sometimes purple, blue, or white, which speedily close at
the approach of bad weather.
[1913 Webster]
{Water pimpernel}. (Bot.) See {Brookweed}.
[1913 Webster]