Advertisement

Advertisement

fritillary

[ frit-l-er-ee ]

noun

, plural frit·il·lar·ies.
  1. any of several orange-brown nymphalid butterflies, usually marked with black lines and dots and with silvery spots on the undersides of the wings.


fritillary

/ frɪˈtɪlərɪ /

noun

  1. any N temperate liliaceous plant of the genus Fritillaria , having purple or white drooping bell-shaped flowers, typically marked in a chequered pattern See also snake's head
  2. any of various nymphalid butterflies of the genera Argynnis, Boloria , etc, having brownish wings chequered with black and silver


Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of fritillary1

From New Latin, dating back to 1625–35; fritillaria

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of fritillary1

C17: from New Latin fritillāria , from Latin fritillus dice box; probably with reference to the spotted markings

Discover More

Example Sentences

Each of these silver-washed fritillaries was housed in a net enclosure and fed honey water.

The bright-orange Gulf fritillary, for example, is thriving not on native plants but on flowers popular in home gardens, Forister said.

He owned he might have been mistaken, as the brilliant fellow flew swift and high between leaves, like an ordinary fritillary.

On these sunflakes numerous fritillary butterflies with silver under wings were fluttering, and countless flies were humming.

The old lady had thrown off her impermeable chrysalis, and had emerged therefrom a very sober fritillary.

Sixty years or so before that date it was called the "Greater Silver-streaked Fritillary."

Petiver, who mentioned the last-named locality, calls it the "Dullidge Fritillary."

Advertisement

Word of the Day

tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

Meaning and examples

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


fritillariafrittata