Non·pa·reil n.
1. Something of unequaled excellence; a peerless thing or person; a nonesuch; -- often used as a name.
2. Print. A size of type next smaller than minion and next larger than agate (or ruby).
Note: ☞
3. Zool. (a) A beautifully colored finch (Passerina ciris), native of the Southern United States. The male has the head and neck deep blue, rump and under parts bright red, back and wings golden green, and the tail bluish purple. Called also painted bunting and painted finch. (b) Any other similar bird of the same genus.
Paint·ed, a.
1. Covered or adorned with paint; portrayed in colors.
As idle as a painted ship
Upon a painted ocean. --Coleridge.
2. Nat. Hist. Marked with bright colors; as, the painted turtle; painted bunting.
Painted beauty Zool., a handsome American butterfly (Vanessa Huntera), having a variety of bright colors,
Painted cup Bot., any plant of an American genus of herbs (Castilleia) in which the bracts are usually bright-colored and more showy than the flowers. Castilleia coccinea has brilliantly scarlet bracts, and is common in meadows.
Painted finch. See Nonpareil.
Painted lady Zool., a bright-colored butterfly. See Thistle butterfly.
Painted turtle Zool., a common American freshwater tortoise (Chrysemys picta), having bright red and yellow markings beneath.
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