mourning cloak

noun

1. an anglewing butterfly, Nymphalis antiopa, widely distributed in Europe and North America, having velvety, dark-brown wings with purple spots and pale-yellow edges.

mourning cloak

noun

1. the US name for Camberwell beauty

Word History and Origins

Origin of mourning cloak¹

First recorded in 1600–10

Example Sentences

George Prince was there, standing against the walls shrouded in his mourning cloak, watching the scene with alert, roving eyes.

From Project Gutenberg

In their habits they are quite similar to the caterpillars of the Mourning-cloak.

From Project Gutenberg

This was the mourning cloak, with me the first vernal butterfly.

From Project Gutenberg

I had made a mourning-cloak of the apron by tying it, hind part before, about my neck, whence it drooped to my heels.

From Project Gutenberg

The mourning cloak, the first butterfly to be seen in spring, has passed the winter in my "Slabsides."

From Project Gutenberg