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papilionaceous

 
Dictionary: pa·pil·i·o·na·ceous
(pə-pĭl'ē-ə-nā'shəs) pronunciation
adj.
Having a bilaterally symmetrical corolla somewhat resembling a butterfly, characteristic of most plants of the pea family.

[Latin pāpiliō, pāpiliōn-, butterfly; see pavilion + -ACEOUS.]


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Wordsmith Words: papilionaceous
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(puh-pil-ee-uh-NAY-shuhs)

adjective
1. Of or pertaining to a butterfly.
2. Belonging to the Papilionaceae family whose plants have petals in the form of a butterfly, mostly legumes, such as peas and beans.

Etymology
From Latin papilion-, stem of papilio (butterfly)

When you're sitting in a pavilion, you're under the wings of a butterfly, etymologically speaking. Also, there is a breed of spaniels named papillon having large ears resembling the wings of a butterfly: www.akc.org/breeds/recbreeds/papp.cfm. Pea flower: www.xmission.com/~nelsonb/pea.htm.

Usage
"`You have an exorbitant auditory impediment,' replied the doctor, ever conscious of the necessity for maintaining a certain iatric mystique, and fully aware that 'a pea in the ear' was unlikely to earn him any kudos. 'I can remove it with a fishhook and a small hammer...' Dr. Iannis returned at six o'clock and hooked the softened pea successfully without the aid of a hammer, small or otherwise. He worked it out deftly enough, and presented it to the couple for their inspection. Encrusted with thick dark wax, rank and malodorous, it was recognisable to neither of them as anything leguminous. 'It's very papilionaceous, is it not?' enquired the doctor." — Louis de Bernières; Corelli's Mandolin; Vintage Books; Sep 1995.


Obscure Words: papilionaceous
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1) resembling the butterfly
Bot.  2a) having a winged corolla somewhat resembling a butterfly, as in the blossoms of the bean and pea  b) belonging to the suborder of leguminous plants which includes the bean, pea, vetch and clover
 
 
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Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.  Read more
Wordsmith Words. © 2009 Wordsmith.org. All rights reserved.  Read more
Obscure Words. © 2008 by Michael A. Fischer http://home.comcast.net/~wwftd Read more