narcissus
UK[nɑːˈsɪsəs]US[nɑːrˈsɪsəs]
n
A type of plant that grows from a bulb and has white or yellow flowers with a central trumpet-shaped part, for example a daffodil.
n
(in Greek mythology) A beautiful young man who fell in love with his own reflection in a pool of water.
Etymology
The word originates from the Greek name Narkissos (Νάρκισσος). The most compelling theory links it to the Ancient Greek verb 'narkao' (ναρκάω), meaning 'to grow numb' or 'to be stupefied,' which is also the root of 'narcotic.' This connection poetically reflects the myth of Narcissus, who was paralyzed and entranced by his own reflection. The name was later adopted into Latin as 'narcissus' before entering English, where it became the botanical term for the flower said to have sprung from where he died. Thus, the word's journey encapsulates a mythic narrative of stupefying beauty, leading from a personal name to a label for a genus of plants.
Analysis
The entire word 'narcissus' is a direct borrowing from Latin, which itself came from Greek 'Narkissos'. It is not productively segmented into smaller, meaningful morphemes in modern English.
Examples
The garden was filled with the bright yellow blooms of the narcissus in early spring.
In the story of Narcissus, his self-obsession led to his tragic transformation.
She planted a mixture of narcissus and tulip bulbs for a staggered flowering display.