milkweed butterfly

noun

1. monarch butterfly.

Word History and Origins

Origin of milkweed butterfly¹

An Americanism dating back to 1875–80

Example Sentences

"Crawl out, I suppose," answered the Milkweed Butterfly with a careless flutter.

From Project Gutenberg

Let us take as an illustration the common milkweed butterfly.

From Project Gutenberg

"Nothing to make such a fuss over," said a Milkweed Butterfly.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus in writing about the milkweed butterfly, Anosia plexippus, the naturalist will designate it as "A. plexippus."

From Project Gutenberg

They see our colors—yellow and black, the badge of the milkweed butterfly—and off they go seeking a choicer tidbit.

From Project Gutenberg