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Glite Dictionary
comma butterfly

comma butterfly

8.7
A butterfly with jagged wing edges and a white mark shaped like a comma under each hind wing
  • noun
  • /ˈkɑːmə ˈbʌtərflaɪ/
  • UK
translation icon : mariposa coma
  • The comma butterfly is easily recognized by its jagged wing edges and unique white mark.

Examples

  • We spotted a comma butterfly resting on a leaf during our walk through the woods.

  • Gardeners often plant nettles to attract the comma butterfly to their gardens.

  • Look at that comma butterfly resting on the flower!

  • A comma butterfly landed on my shoulder!

  • The comma butterfly is easily recognized by its jagged wing edges and unique white mark.

  • We spotted a comma butterfly resting on a leaf during our walk through the woods.

  • Look at that comma butterfly resting on the flower!

Synonyms

comma
vscomma butterfly
  • US
1 9.9

A small brown butterfly with a curved white mark on its wing

is found in Eurasia rather than North America
Polygonia comma
vscomma butterfly
  • Specialized
9.9

A North American butterfly with orange-brown wings and a small white comma-shaped mark under each rear wing

is found in Eurasia rather than North America

Surface Forms

comma butterfly singular
comma butterflies plural

Morphology

comma + butterfly

The phrase is a straightforward compound: 'comma' (a comma-shaped mark) + 'butterfly' (the insect), so a learner who knows both words can infer it denotes a butterfly with a comma-shaped marking. Naming animals by salient markings is common cross-linguistically and follows basic compositional patterns, making the meaning predictable to a B1 learner.

Etymology

Comma butterfly: The name comma butterfly comes from a small white mark on the lower side of its wing that looks like a comma. That's why the name means a butterfly with that comma-shaped mark.