danais plexippus

2 definitions found

danais plexippus - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  monarch butterfly \mon"arch but"ter*fly\, n. (Zool.)
     A very large red and black butterfly (Danais Plexippus)
     having striking orange-brown wings with black veins in a
     reticulated pattern; -- called also milkweed butterfly and
     monarch. Its larvae feed on the leaves of the milkweed.
     [1913 Webster +PJC]

  Monarch \Mon"arch\, n. [F. monarque, L. monarcha, fr. Gr. ?, ?;
     mo`nos alone + ? to be first, rule, govern. See Archi-.]
     1. A sole or supreme ruler; a sovereign; the highest ruler;
        an emperor, king, queen, prince, or chief.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              He who reigns
              Monarch in heaven, . . . upheld by old repute.
                                                    --Milton.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. One superior to all others of the same kind; as, an oak is
        called the monarch of the forest.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. A patron deity or presiding genius.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Come, thou, monarch of the vine,
              Plumpy Bacchus.                       --Shak.
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     4. (Zool.) A very large red and black butterfly (Danais  Plexippus
        ); -- called also milkweed butterfly and
        monarch butterfly.
        [1913 Webster]