fritillaria

Variant of fritillary

noun pl. fritillaries

  1. any of a genus (Fritillaria) of perennial, bulbous plants of the lily family, with nodding, bell-shaped flowers
  2. any of certain medium-sized nymphalid butterflies, usually having brownish wings with silver spots on the undersides

Origin: < ModL Fritillaria < L fritillus, dice box: from markings on the petals or wings

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2010 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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