Phaeton \Pha"["e]*ton\, n. [F. pha['e]ton a kind of carriage, fr. Pha['e]thon Pha["e]thon, the son of Helios. See Pha["e]thon.]

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 Pha["e]thon.

3. (Zo["o]l.) A handsome American butterfly (Euphydryas, or Melit[ae]a, Pha["e]ton). The upper side of the wings is black, with orange-red spots and marginal crescents, and several rows of cream-colored spots; -- called also Baltimore.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)