papilionaceous

adjective

pa·​pil·​i·​o·​na·​ceous pə-ˌpi-lē-ə-ˈnā-shəs How to pronounce papilionaceous (audio)
: having a corolla (as in the bean or pea) with usually five petals that include a large upper petal enclosing two lateral wings and a lower carina of two united petals

Word History

Etymology

Latin papilion-, papilio butterfly — more at pavilion

First Known Use

1668, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of papilionaceous was in 1668

Dictionary Entries Near papilionaceous

Cite this Entry

“Papilionaceous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/papilionaceous. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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