nymphalid butterfly
- noun
- /ˈnɪmfəlɪd ˈbʌtərflaɪ/
- Specialized
:
mariposa nymfalida
- Many nymphalid butterflies have forelegs that are so small they appear to walk on only four legs.
Examples
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She photographed a brightly patterned nymphalid butterfly resting on a wildflower.
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The monarch is a well-known species of nymphalid butterfly found across North America.
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The nymphalid butterfly is known for its vibrant colors.
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Have you ever seen a nymphalid butterfly up close?
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The monarch is a well-known species of nymphalid butterfly that migrates thousands of miles each year.
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She photographed a brightly patterned nymphalid butterfly resting on a wildflower in the garden.
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Many nymphalid butterflies display their beautiful colors during the warm summer months.
Synonyms
A butterfly with bright wings and very small front legs often not used for walking
A medium to large butterfly with bright wings and small front legs not used for walking
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is a straightforward type-label: it denotes a butterfly belonging to the Nymphalidae group, so knowing 'nymphalid' (the family/type) plus 'butterfly' yields the full meaning. This compositional pattern (type adjective/noun + general noun) is cross-linguistically common and therefore immediately comprehensible to learners who know both constituents.
Etymology
Nymphalid butterfly comes from the word 'nymph', a young, pretty woman in old stories, because early scientists thought these butterflies looked delicate and beautiful. Many have very small front legs and bright wings, so the name now points to this group of colorful butterflies.
