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Ornithoptera

noun
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Or·​ni·​thop·​tera | \ ˌȯ(r)nəˈthäpt(ə)rə \

Definition of Ornithoptera

: a genus of large butterflies of the Malay archipelago closely related to the genus Papilio and having the females much larger and much less brightly colored than the males

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History and Etymology for Ornithoptera

New Latin, from ornith- + -ptera

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Cite this Entry

“Ornithoptera.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Ornithoptera. Accessed 21 Feb. 2020.

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