papilionaceous
Americanadjective
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having an irregular corolla shaped somewhat like a butterfly, as the pea and other leguminous plants.
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belonging to the family Papilionaceae (Fabaceae), that is often included as part of the Leguminosae.
Etymology
Origin of papilionaceous
1660–70; < Latin pāpiliōn- (stem of pāpiliō ) butterfly + -aceous
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A papilionaceous plant, the Ornithopus, having a curved, cylindrical pod tipped with a short, clawlike point.
From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (2nd 100 Pages) by Webster, Noah
Trees or Shrubs with papilionaceous corolla; as the laburnum.
From Lives of Eminent Zoologists, from Aristotle to Linnæus with Introductory remarks on the Study of Natural History by MacGillivray, William
The point in the weeping tree is a certain grace of drooping line, such as one enjoys in the drooping racemes of many of the papilionaceous flowers such as Wistaria, Laburnum, and Robinia.
From Trees and Shrubs for English Gardens by Cook, Ernest Thomas
Their caterpillars, which are wood-louse shaped, or onisciform, generally feed on low plants, chiefly of the papilionaceous order; and the butterflies are found in dry meadows, on downs, and in open heathy places.
From British Butterfiles Figures and Descriptions of Every Native Species by Coleman, W. S. (William Stephen)
The flowers are papilionaceous, and the leaves of a light green; the nut, which grows from the root, is not dug until the plant withers.
From Antigua and the Antiguans, Volume II (of 2) A full account of the colony and its inhabitants from the time of the Caribs to the present day by Anonymous
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
