black swallowtail

noun

See under swallowtail(def 2).

Words nearby black swallowtail

black squirrel, black stem, black studies, black stump, black sucker, black swallowtail, black swallowwort, black swan, black tar heroin, black taxi, black tea

Definition for black swallowtail (2 of 2)

swallowtail
[ swol-oh-teyl ]
/ ˈswɒl oʊˌteɪl /

noun

the tail of a swallow or a deeply forked tail like that of a swallow.
any of several butterflies of the genus Papilio, characterized by elongated hind wings that resemble the tail of a swallow, as P. polyxenes (black swallowtail). Compare spicebush swallowtail, tiger swallowtail, zebra swallowtail.
tail coat.

Origin of swallowtail

First recorded in 1535–45; swallow2 + tail1

British Dictionary definitions for black swallowtail

swallowtail
/ (ˈswɒləʊˌteɪl) /

noun

any of various butterflies of the genus Papilio and related genera, esp P. machaon of Europe, having a tail-like extension of each hind wing: family Papilionidae
the forked tail of a swallow or similar bird
short for swallow-tailed coat