51Թ

Advertisement

Advertisement

swallowtail

[ swol-oh-teyl ]

noun

  1. the tail of a swallow or a deeply forked tail like that of a swallow.
  2. any of several butterflies of the genus Papilio, characterized by elongated hindwings that resemble the tail of a swallow, such as P. polyxenes black swallowtail. Compare spicebush swallowtail, tiger swallowtail, zebra swallowtail.


swallowtail

/ ˈɒəʊˌٱɪ /

noun

  1. any of various butterflies of the genus Papilio and related genera, esp P. machaon of Europe, having a tail-like extension of each hind wing: family Papilionidae
  2. the forked tail of a swallow or similar bird
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

51Թ History and Origins

Origin of swallowtail1

First recorded in 1535–45; swallow 2 + tail 1
Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Its native grasses and forested hillsides host nesting ospreys and more than 200 other bird species, along with mule deer, wild turkeys, coyotes and the rare pipevine swallowtail butterfly.

From

Some of the larger butterflies, such as swallowtails, can be identified on the wing.

From

So pawpaw trees rely on pollinators like zebra swallowtails to produce fruit.

From

Styles of the time included the thin, angular “stiletto,” a fuller “square cut,” and even a double-tufted “swallowtail.”

From

In particular, the Papilio xuthus, a yellow, Asian swallowtail butterfly, has not only blue, green and red, but also violet, ultraviolet and broadband receptors.

From

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement