Pronunciation: ˌ ma-r ə - ' p ō -z ə -, -s ə -
Function: noun
Etymology: probably from American Spanish mariposa, from Spanish, butterfly
Date: 1882
: any of a genus ( Calochortus ) of western No. American plants of the lily family with showy flowers having three petals and three sepals ― called also mariposa tulip ― compare SEGO LILY