papillon

[ pap-uh-lon; French pa-pee-yawn ]

noun

, plural pap·il·lons [-lonz, p, a, -pee-, yawn].

1. one of a breed of toy spaniels having a long, silky coat and large, erect ears held so that they resemble the wings of a butterfly.

papillon

/ ˈpæpɪˌlɒn /

noun

1. a breed of toy spaniel with large ears

Word History and Origins

Origin of papillon¹

1905–10; < French: butterfly < Latin pāpiliōn- (stem of pāpiliō )

Word History and Origins

Origin of papillon¹

French: butterfly, from Latin pāpiliō

Example Sentences

In addition to gaining many more fans, Bunny, now 4 years old, also gained a couple of siblings: Otter, a 2½-year-old standard poodle, and Tenrec, a 1-year-old papillon.

From Seattle Times

The five puppies — Labrador and golden retrievers, and a papillon among them — bounded through the airport, earning more than a few quizzical glances from airline passengers.

From Seattle Times

The Tibetan spaniel papillon mix was photographed on Instagram wearing a bow tie, with a caption that read: “My mommies are MARRIED!!!! Married?…… yes…. married!!!”

From Los Angeles Times

Not just any puppy—a pint-size papillon with a black button nose and bushy, perky ears.

From Science Magazine

In this affable, aw-shucks register, he talks of being depressed and needing medicine to help him get better, about divorcing and fighting with his soon-to-be ex-wife over a papillon dog he loved.

From New York Times