Vanessa
- noun
- /vəˈnɛsə/
- Specialized
:
Vanessa
- The park was filled with Vanessa butterflies fluttering around in the summer sun.
Examples
-
I spotted a beautiful Vanessa butterfly resting on a flower in the garden.
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During our hike, we saw several Vanessa butterflies dancing above the wildflowers.
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Daniel, I have a vanessa on line three, says she's a friend?
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She used to be vera vanessa.
Synonyms
A group of butterflies that includes the painted lady and red admiral
Compounds
- Specialized
A butterfly with black wings and red and white bands called the red admiral
- Specialized
A North American butterfly with dark brown wings and white and orange spots
Surface Forms
Etymology
Vanessa comes from a woman's name that the writer Jonathan Swift made by joining Van (from a surname) and Essa (a pet form of 'Esther'). Scientists later used this pretty name for a group of bright, colorful butterflies, so thinking of the familiar name 'Vanessa' helps you remember these showy insects.
