fritillary

American  

[frit-l-er-ee] / ˈfrɪt lˌɛr i /

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.

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fritillary British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of fritillary

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

Example Sentences

The "first of its kind in the UK" report identified the country's rarest species, including the high brown fritillary butterfly and Snowden leaf beetle, based on how geographically restricted they are, said Natural Resources Wales.

From BBC

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

From BBC

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

From Seattle Times

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.

From BBC

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

From BBC