papilionaceous

The story

1. Latin · derived frompāpiliō“butterfly”
2. New Latin · derived frompapilionaceus
3. English todaypapilionaceous

From New Latin papilionaceus (from Latin pāpiliō (“butterfly”)) + -ous. In scientific sense, after Papilionaceae (family name).

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• 17th–19th c. Pertaining to a butterfly or butterflies.
• from 17th c. Having a corolla in the form of a butterfly, with prominent wing-like petals; (generally) pertaining to the Faboidea (Papilionoidea) family of plants.
• from 19th c. Like a butterfly; showy; capricious.