swallowtail

views updated Jun 08 2018

swal·low·tail / ˈswälōˌtāl/ • n. (also swallowtail butterfly) a large brightly colored butterfly (family Papilionidae) with taillike projections (suggestive of a swallow’s tail) on the hind wings. Many genera and species include the eastern tiger swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) of eastern North America.

swallowtail

views updated May 17 2018

swallowtail.
1. Dovetail moulding or triangular fret moulding consisting of a series of adjacent equilateral triangles, each set alternately with apex and base uppermost, the series framed by a system of fillets joining at acute angles, and decorating a band.

2. Guelphic crenellation. See battlement.