Definition of "fritillary" [frit•il•la•ry]

• Any of various bulbous plants of the genus Fritillaria, having nodding, variously colored, often spotted or checkered flowers. (noun)
• Any of various butterflies of the family Nymphalidae, especially of the genera Speyeria and Boloria, having brownish wings marked with black or silvery spots on the underside. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "This has had a positive effect on other woodland wildlife, with butterflies such as the silver-washed fritillary thriving in the sunny, open rides between the stands of trees."
• "It was a silver-washed fritillary, the largest and most impressive of all the British fritillaries and one that has bucked the dismal trend and expanded its range after years of contraction."
• "Almost all have been managed for hunting or timber during most of their history, but the majority are now nature reserves and home to wildlife such as the pearl-bordered fritillary butterfly and barbastelle bat, as well as a rich variety of woodland plants."