papillon

butterfly

noun pah-pee-YOHN Less Common

Origin: Latin papilio (butterfly)

Also means

bow tie

Usage Note

Papillon literally means butterfly but is also the common word for a bow tie (nœud papillon) and a parking ticket in informal usage. The related verb papillonner means 'to flit about'. In swimming, le papillon refers to the butterfly stroke.

Examples

"Un papillon se pose sur la fleur."

Natural Translation

A butterfly lands on the flower.

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