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phaeton

1. A four-wheeled carriage (with or without a top), open, or having no side pieces, in front of the seat. It is drawn by one or two horses.

2. See phaethon.

3. (Science: zoology) A handsome American butterfly (Euphydryas, or Melitaea, Phaeton). The upper side of the wings is black, with orange-red spots and marginal crescents, and several rows of cream-coloured spots; called also Baltimore.

Origin: F. Phaeton a kind of carriage, fr. Phaethon Phaethon, the son of Helios. See Phaethon.