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mourning cloak
noun
: a blackish-brown nymphalid butterfly (Nymphalis antiopa) that has a broad yellow border on the wings and is found in temperate parts of Europe, Asia, and North America
Examples of mourning cloak in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Adult mourning cloak, question mark and comma butterflies may overwinter next year in these piles.
—Monica Cardoza, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2023
Flying insects such as the resident mourning cloak butterfly, adorned in yellow and black, are beginning to emerge.
—cleveland, 27 Mar. 2020
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mourning cloak.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1850, in the meaning defined above
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Cite this Entry
“Mourning cloak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mourning%20cloak. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
mourning cloak
noun
: a blackish brown butterfly of Europe, Asia, and North America having a broad yellow border on the wings
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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