mormon

What it means

1. Any of various dark-coloured Asian species of papilionid butterflies of the genus Papilio.

In a sentence

That year, 1871, had marked a change which had been gradually coming in the lives of the peace-loving Mormons of the border.

1912 January, Zane Grey, chapter 1, in Riders of the Purple Sage […], New York, N.Y.; London: Harper & Brothers Publishers, →OCLC

Where it comes from

From the title of the chief work of Joseph Smith the Book of Mormon. Followers of his religious movement were called this since the 1830s. The title of the book comes from the name from the prophet who they believe compiled it, called Mormon, father of Moroni, and/or the Waters of Mormon mentioned in it. Various implausible etymologies have been proposed, usually in attempts to discredit or defend the Mormon faith.