- papillon
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/pap"euh lon'/; Fr. /pann pee yawonn"/, n., pl. papillons /-lon'/; Fr. /-yawonn"/.one of a breed of toy spaniels having a long, silky coat and large, erect ears held so that they resemble the wings of a butterfly.[1905-10; < F: butterfly < L papilion- (s. of papilio)]
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A favorite of Marie-Antoinette, it appeared in paintings by Old Masters. It acquired its name (French for "butterfly") in the late 19th century, when a variety with large, flaring ears became fashionable. Another variety has drooping ears. A slender, graceful dog with a plumed tail, it stands 11 in. (28 cm) or less and weighs up to 11 lbs (5 kg). The soft, full coat is usually white, with darker patches.* * *
▪ breed of dogbreed of toy dog known from the 16th century, when it was called a dwarf spaniel. A fashionable dog, it was favoured by Madame de Pompadour (Pompadour, Jeanne-Antoinette Poisson, marquise de) and Marie-Antoinette, and it appeared in paintings by some of the Old Masters. The name papillon (French: “butterfly”) was given to the breed in the late 19th century, when a variety with large, flaring ears resembling the wings of a butterfly came into vogue. There is another variety of papillon with drooping ears. A slender, graceful dog with a plumed tail, the papillon stands 11 inches (28 cm) or less and weighs up to 11 pounds (5 kg). The coat is soft, full, and usually white with patches of black or of pale tan to dark reddish brown.* * *
Universalium. 2010.
