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

Words nearby swallowtail

swallow-tailed, swallow-tailed coat, swallow-tailed kite, swallow-tanager, swallowing reflex, swallowtail, swallowwort, swam, swami, swammerdam, swamp

Example sentences from the Web for swallowtail

British Dictionary definitions for 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