Definition of the word pansy

The word "pansy" has an interesting etymological origin. In the Middle Ages, the term "pensye" was used to describe a kind of small, round bread that was given as an offering to a Church noble during a mass. This bread was often given in the specially designed container called a "pense" or "pensio," which was similar in shape to a modern-day saucer. As time passed, the term "pensye" began to be associated with flowers as well. In the late 16th century, the word "pansy" was coined to describe a type of violet that grew in neat, round clusters, much like the small bread disks that were once offered to Church officials. The name "pansy" also highlights the petals of the flower, which resemble the face of a person with a livid complexion. In the past, some believed that the round shape of the flower represented the pleading eyes of a seated, supplicant heavenward. The literal meaning of "beggar" was therefore attached to the term "pansy" until later Renaissance usage transformed it into an endearing term for a small, delicate and visually appealing flower. So although the history of the term "pansy" is quite profound, today it is commonly used to describe a species of flowering plant rather than as a term for a type of bread or for a sickly person.