swallow-tail
Definition
- Noun:
- A type of butterfly: "swallow-tail" refers to any of various butterflies of the family Papilionidae, characterized by distinctive tail-like extensions on their hindwings.
- A forked tail: The term can also describe a tail that is deeply forked, resembling that of a swallow bird.
- A coat with a forked tail: In historical fashion, "swallow-tail" denotes a coat, specifically a swallow-tailed coat, which has a long, divided tail at the back, traditionally worn as formal evening wear.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The swallow-tail butterfly fluttered gracefully over the garden flowers. (A type of butterfly with tail-like hindwings.)
- The swift's swallow-tail helps it maneuver quickly in flight. (A forked tail of a bird.)
- He wore a classic swallow-tail to the formal gala. (A formal coat with a forked tail.)
Advanced Usage
"to have a swallow-tail": to possess a forked or divided shape.
- The kite's design included a swallow-tail for stability. (The kite had a forked tail for balance.)
"swallow-tail coat": a specific type of formal jacket with long, pointed tails at the back.
- The orchestra conductor wore a black swallow-tail coat. (A formal jacket with a divided tail.)
Variants and Related Words
Swallow-tailed (adj): having a tail shaped like a swallow's tail; forked or divided.
- The swallow-tailed kite is a bird of prey with a distinctive forked tail. (A bird with a forked tail.)
Swallowtail (n): an alternative spelling of "swallow-tail," used interchangeably.
- The swallowtail butterfly is known for its vibrant colors. (The same butterfly species.)
Synonyms
- Forked tail: a tail divided into two parts.
- Papilionid: a member of the butterfly family Papilionidae.
- Cutaway coat: a type of formal coat with a similar tail shape (though not identical).
Related Idioms
- No direct idioms: The word "swallow-tail" does not appear in common English idioms. However, it is used in ornithology and entomology as a descriptive term.