priestcap

2 definitions found

priestcap - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Priestcap \Priest"cap`\, n. (Fort.)
     A form of redan, so named from its shape; -- called also
     swallowtail.
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  Swallowtail \Swal"low*tail`\, n.
     1. (Carp.) A kind of tenon or tongue used in making joints.
        See Dovetail.
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     2. (Bot.) A species of willow.
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     3. (Fort.) An outwork with converging sides, its head or
        front forming a reentrant angle; -- so called from its
        form. Called also priestcap.
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     4. A swallow-tailed coat.
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              This Stultz coat, a blue swallowtail, with yellow
              buttons.                              --Thackeray.
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     5. An arrow. --Sir W. Scott.
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     6. (Zool.) Any one of numerous species of large and handsome
        butterflies, belonging to Papilio and allied genera, in
        which the posterior border of each hind wing is
        prolongated in the form of a long lobe.
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     Note: The black swallowtail, or asterias (see Papilio), the
           blue swallowtail, or philenor, the tiger swallowtail,
           or turnus (see Turnus), and the zebra swallowtail, or
           ajax (see under Zebra) are common American species.
           See also Troilus.
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