campion
UK[ˈkæmpiən]US[ˈkæmpiən]
n
A plant of the pink family, typically having pink or white flowers with notched petals.
Etymology
The word 'campion' entered English in the late 16th century. It derives from the obsolete French word 'campion', which itself was a variant of 'champion'. This French term was used in the phrase 'herbe de champion', meaning 'champion's herb', likely due to the plant's use in garlands for victors. The ultimate origin is the Late Latin word 'campio', meaning 'combatant' or 'gladiator', from 'campus' (field, plain, battlefield). Thus, the name of this delicate flowering plant carries a latent historical connection to fields of contest and victory.
Analysis
This word is a simplex form. It is a loanword whose spelling and form were adapted as a whole from its source.
Examples
The white campion glowed in the twilight at the edge of the field.
She identified the pink flowers as red campion, a common wildflower in the hedgerows.
The ragged-robin is a type of campion with deeply cut, feathery petals.