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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. Compare spicebush swallowtail, tiger swallowtail, zebra swallowtail.


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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Word History and Origins

Origin of swallowtail1

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

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.

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

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

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

In particular, the Papilio xuthus, a yellow, Asian swallowtail butterfly, has not only blue, green and red, but also violet, ultraviolet and broadband receptors.

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swallow one's wordsswallow-tailed