fritillary

[ frit-l-er-ee ]
/ ˈfrɪt lˌɛr i /

noun, plural frit·il·lar·ies.

any of several orange-brown nymphalid butterflies, usually marked with black lines and dots and with silvery spots on the undersides of the wings.

Origin of fritillary

From New Latin, dating back to 1625–35; see origin at fritillaria

Words nearby fritillary

frit fly, frites, frith, frithstool, fritillaria, fritillary, frittata, fritter, fritter away, fritto misto, fritz

Example sentences from the Web for fritillary

British Dictionary definitions for fritillary

fritillary
/ (frɪˈtɪlərɪ) /

noun plural -laries

any N temperate liliaceous plant of the genus Fritillaria, having purple or white drooping bell-shaped flowers, typically marked in a chequered pattern See also snake's head
any of various nymphalid butterflies of the genera Argynnis, Boloria, etc, having brownish wings chequered with black and silver

Word Origin for fritillary

C17: from New Latin fritillāria, from Latin fritillus dice box; probably with reference to the spotted markings