1 a migratory butterfly with predominantly orange-brown wings and darker markings.
Genus Cynthia, subfamily Nymphalinae, family Nymphalidae: the widely distributed C. cardui, with black-and-white markings, and the American painted lady (C. virginiensis), with markings resembling eyes on the undersides of the wings.
2 (usually Painted Lady)(in the US, especially San Francisco) a house from the late 19th or early 20th century whose exterior is decorated with three or more colors of paint highlighting its ornate architectural features.
EnglishOxford New American Dictionary
