swallowtail

[swol-oh-teyl]

noun

1. the tail of a swallow or a deeply forked tail like that of a swallow.

2. any of several butterflies of the genus Papilio, characterized by elongated hindwings that resemble the tail of a swallow, such as P. polyxenes black swallowtail.

3. tailcoat.

swallowtail

/ ˈswɒləʊˌteɪl /

noun

1. any of various butterflies of the genus Papilio and related genera, esp P. machaon of Europe, having a tail-like extension of each hind wing: family Papilionidae

2. the forked tail of a swallow or similar bird

3. short for swallow-tailed coat

Word History and Origins

Origin of swallowtail¹

First recorded in 1535–45; swallow ² + tail ¹

Example Sentences

Oaks support more than 1000 species, while maples offer food to over 300, including swallowtails and mourning cloaks.

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Its native grasses and forested hillsides host nesting ospreys and more than 200 other bird species, along with mule deer, wild turkeys, coyotes and the rare pipevine swallowtail butterfly.

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Some of the larger butterflies, such as swallowtails, can be identified on the wing.

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So pawpaw trees rely on pollinators like zebra swallowtails to produce fruit.

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Styles of the time included the thin, angular “stiletto,” a fuller “square cut,” and even a double-tufted “swallowtail.”

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