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Glite Dictionary
swallow-tailed

swallow-tailed

8.1
Having a deep forked tail like a small bird
  • adjective
  • /ˈswɒloʊˌteɪld/
translation icon : con cola de golondrina
  • The swallow-tailed kite is a striking bird with a deeply forked tail that helps it swoop and glide.

Examples

  • Several species of swallow-tailed butterflies are known for their elegant, divided tails.

  • She admired the swallow-tailed coat pattern of the rare insect.

  • The swallow-tailed butterfly fluttered gracefully through the garden.

  • Have you seen a swallow-tailed kite soaring in the sky?

  • During our hike, we spotted a beautiful swallow-tailed butterfly resting on a flower, its tail elegantly divided.

  • The birdwatchers gathered their binoculars to catch a glimpse of the swallow-tailed kite gliding effortlessly in the sky.

  • In her research, she noted that the swallow-tailed moth is distinguished by its unique tail shape and pattern.

Synonyms

scissor-tailed
vsswallow-tailed
9.3

Having a long tail that divides into two thin parts like scissors

also applies to butterflies as well as birds

Surface Forms

swallow-tailed positive

Morphology

swallow-tailed = swallowtail (transparent) = swallow + tail + ed

The adjective is formed by adding '-ed' to the noun 'swallowtail' and directly means 'having a swallow-like tail', which is predictable from the base.

Etymology

Swallow-tailed comes from the small bird swallow and the word tail, so it literally means 'with a tail like a swallow'. That's why we call some butterflies and birds swallow-tailed when their tail is deeply split or forked and helps them steer as they fly.