noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
butterfly-shaped; papilionaceous
Describes something shaped like a butterfly, often used in technical contexts such as botany (papilionaceous flowers) or engineering (butterfly valves).
この花は蝶形をしている。
This flower is butterfly-shaped.
蝶形の弁が使われている。
A butterfly-shaped valve is used.
Variant spelling; 型 emphasizes a mold or type, but both are used for shape.
蝶 means 'butterfly' (the insect), while 蝶形 refers to the shape of a butterfly.
Compound of 蝶 (butterfly) and 形 (shape). The reading ちょうけい is the on'yomi reading of the same kanji, but ちょうがた is more common.