papilionaceous

English

Etymology

From New Latin papilionaceus (from Latin pāpiliō (“butterfly”)) +‎ -ous. In scientific sense, after Papilionaceae (family name).

Adjective

papilionaceous (comparative more papilionaceous, superlative most papilionaceous)

1. (obsolete) Pertaining to a butterfly or butterflies. [17th–19th c.]
2. (botany) Having a corolla in the form of a butterfly, with prominent wing-like petals; (generally) pertaining to the Faboidea (Papilionoidea) family of plants. [from 17th c.]
   • 1962, JW Goethe, translated by WH Auden and Elizabeth Mayer, Italian Journey, Penguin, published 1970, page 261:

     [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…

3. (figurative) Like a butterfly; showy; capricious. [from 19th c.]
   • 2000 April 3, Evening Standard:

     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.