fritillary

[frit-l-er-ee]

noun

plural

fritillaries 

1. any of several orange-brown nymphalid butterflies, usually marked with black lines and dots and with silvery spots on the undersides of the wings.

fritillary

/ frɪˈtɪlərɪ /

noun

1. any N temperate liliaceous plant of the genus Fritillaria , having purple or white drooping bell-shaped flowers, typically marked in a chequered pattern See also snake's head

2. any of various nymphalid butterflies of the genera Argynnis, Boloria , etc, having brownish wings chequered with black and silver

Word History and Origins

Origin of fritillary¹

From New Latin, dating back to 1625–35; fritillaria

Word History and Origins

Origin of fritillary¹

C17: from New Latin fritillāria , from Latin fritillus dice box; probably with reference to the spotted markings

Example Sentences

Some varieties, such as the dark green fritillary did not have a single sighting in 2024.

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Larger — and faster — than the blues are the bright black-and-orange fritillaries.

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It is home to 34 of the 59 butterfly species found in the UK, including the white admiral, dainty wood white and England's largest colony of pearl-bordered fritillaries.

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The distinctive Belted Galloway cattle are being used to help the pearl-bordered fritillary flourish.

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"If we don't do something then species like the marsh fritillary and countless others will be lost from Wales - this is really the last measure that we've got."

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