papilionaceous
adjEtymology From New Latin papilionaceus (from Latin pāpiliō (“butterfly”)) + -ous. In scientific sense, after Papilionaceae (family name).
1
Obsolete Pertaining to a butterfly or butterflies.
- Thefe are alfo called by Reaumur Papillionaceous Flies, that have their wings half tranfparent.1792, Richard Brookes, Oliver Goldsmith, Jan Swammerdam, chapter XI, in The Natural History of Insects, page 129:
2
Biology, Botany, Natural sciences Having a corolla in the form of a butterfly, with prominent wing-like petals; (generally) pertaining to the Faboidea (Papilionoidea) family of plants.
- [T]he broad road is lined with wild bushes and tangled shrubs lavishly decked with brilliant blossoms: the lentisk, so covered with yellow, papilionaceous flowers [translating Schmetterlingsblumen] that not a green leaf is visible…1962, JW Goethe, translated by WH Auden and Elizabeth Mayer, Italian Journey, Penguin, published 1970, page 261:
3
Figuratively Like a butterfly; showy; capricious.
- Ali G was a glorious, comedic butterfly, but it's my sad duty to report that his exquisitely papilionaceous character is currently being broken upon a wheel.2000 April 3, Evening Standard: