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fritillary

fritillary definition

frit·il·lary (frit′'l er′ē; Brit fri til′ə ri)

noun pl. fritillaries -·lar′·ies

any of a genus (Fritillaria) of perennial, bulbous plants of the lily family, with nodding, bell-shaped flowers
also fritillaria frit′·il·lar′·i·a (frit′'l er′ē ə)
any of certain medium-sized nymphalid butterflies, usually having brownish wings with silver spots on the undersides

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

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
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