Papillons

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of butterfly known for its colorful wings and delicate structure
2. A reference to various species of insects belonging to the Lepidoptera order, often admired for their beauty
3. A term describing fluttering, winged creatures that are commonly associated with gardens and nature's beauty

Etymology: "Papillons" is simply the plural of "papillon," the French word for butterfly, so the story is really that of the singular. The French word descends from Latin "pāpiliō," which meant "butterfly or moth." The Latin term ended up in French as "papillon," and the two forms share a common ancestor, which is why they are considered doublets of one another. The same Latin root gave English "pavilion," a word that once meant a butterfly-like tent. Fluttering, rounded cloth structures and the insect share a visual resemblance in the minds of those who named them, and "pavilion" entered English from Old French as a term for a tent. The shared ancestry is a reminder that a single Latin insect name split into two very different English-facing words.

Synonyms: butterflies