painted lady

[ peyn-tid ley-dee ]

noun

1. a butterfly, Vanessa cardui, one of the most widespread butterflies in the world, having brownish-black and orange wings with four eyespots on each hindwing. Compare American painted lady ( def ).
2. Often Painted Lady. a Victorian or Edwardian house painted in at least three colors to enhance the intricate exterior detailing:

   Our painted lady is an 1868 Victorian with peach clapboards, periwinkle doors, and ornate features in white and pearl gray.

painted lady

noun

1. a migratory nymphalid butterfly, Vanessa cardui, with pale brownish-red mottled wings

Word History and Origins

Origin of painted lady¹

First recorded in 1690–1700 painted lady for 1, 1975–80 painted lady for 2

Example Sentences

More in KidsPost 12 kids who are changing their communities and our world Read stories about animals threatened with extinction Weather and wildfires may threaten painted lady butterflies’ migration

From Washington Post

Like monarchs, many birds, and hundreds of other insects, painted ladies migrate with the seasons.

From Vox

In a study published this week, scientists suggest that rainfall in sub-Saharan Africa, which controls the growth of vegetation, has a dramatic impact on the number of painted lady butterflies that summer in Europe — more than 4,000 miles away.

From Vox

As for the painted ladies, they seem to be doing just fine, even as the climate changes.

From Vox

Brebeuf, who wrote one hundred and fifty epigrams against a painted lady.

From Project Gutenberg

The Painted Lady's lips were poisoned, so that a kiss was fatal.

From Project Gutenberg

A painted Lady best fits a Captain; for so both may fight under their colours.

From Project Gutenberg

The Painted Lady had never got any letters while she was in Thrums, but she looked wistfully at those of other people.

From Project Gutenberg

Do you remember the long, lonely path between two ragged little dykes that led from the Den to the house of the Painted Lady?

From Project Gutenberg