papilionaceous adjective. [pǝpɪlɪǝ'neɪʃǝs] M17.
[from mod. Latin papilionaceus, from Latin papilio(n-) butterfly: see -ACEOUS.]
1. Of or pertaining to a butterfly or butterflies; of the nature of a butterfly. Now rare or obsolete. M17.
b. fig. Showy, frivolous. M19.

2. Botany. Of a flower corolla: arranged in the form of a butterfly, i.e. with a large erect upper petal or standard, two lateral petals or wings, and two narrow lower petals between these fused to form a keel, (as typical of many leguminous plants, esp. those of the subfamily Papilionoideae). Also, (of a plant) having this type of corolla. M17.

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