swallowtail

American  

[swol-oh-teyl] / ˈswɒl oʊˌteɪl /

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.

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swallowtail British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of swallowtail

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.

From The Wall Street Journal

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.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Seattle Times

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

From Seattle Times

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

From National Geographic