but·ter·fly (b t  r-fl  )n. 1. Any of various insects of the order Lepidoptera, characteristically having slender bodies, knobbed antennae, and four broad, usually colorful wings. 2. A person interested principally in frivolous pleasure: a social butterfly. 3. Sports a. A swimming stroke in which a swimmer lying face down draws both arms upward out of the water, thrusts them forward, and draws them back under the water in an hourglass design while performing a dolphin kick. b. A race or a leg of a race in which this stroke is swum. 4. butterflies A feeling of unease or mild nausea caused especially by fearful anticipation. tr.v. but·ter·flied, but·ter·fly·ing, but·ter·flies To cut and spread open and flat, as shrimp. [Middle English butterflye, from Old English butorfl  oge : butor, butere, butter; see butter + floge, fly; see fly2.]Word History: Is a butterfly named for the color of its excrement or because it was thought to steal butter? It is hard to imagine that anyone ever noticed the color of butterfly excrement or believed the insect capable of such theft. The first suggestion rests on the fact that an early Dutch name for the butterfly was boterschijte. The second is based on an old belief that the butterfly was really a larcenous witch in disguise. |
butterfly
Noun
pl -flies
1. an insect with a slender body and brightly coloured wings
2. a swimming stroke in which the arms are plunged forward together in large circular movements
3. a person who never settles with one interest or occupation for long [Old English buttorflēoge]
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  butterfly - diurnal insect typically having a slender body with knobbed antennae and broad colorful wingslepidopteran, lepidopteron, lepidopterous insect - insect that in the adult state has four wings more or less covered with tiny scales brush-footed butterfly, four-footed butterfly, nymphalid, nymphalid butterfly - medium to large butterflies found worldwide typically having brightly colored wings and much-reduced nonfunctional forelegs carried folded on the breast ringlet butterfly, ringlet - any of various butterflies belonging to the family Satyridae danaid, danaid butterfly - large tropical butterfly with degenerate forelegs and an unpleasant taste pierid, pierid butterfly - any of numerous pale-colored butterflies having three pairs of well-developed legs sulfur butterfly, sulphur butterfly - any of numerous yellow or orange butterflies lycaenid, lycaenid butterfly - any of various butterflies of the family Lycaenidae |
| 2. |  butterfly - a swimming stroke in which the arms are thrown forward together out of the water while the feet kick up and downswimming stroke - a method of moving the arms and legs to push against the water and propel the swimmer forward dolphin kick - a swimming kick; an up and down kick of the feet together | |
| Verb | 1. | butterfly - flutter like a butterfly |
| 2. | butterfly - cut and spread open, as in preparation for cooking; "butterflied shrimp" cookery, cooking, preparation - the act of preparing something (as food) by the application of heat; "cooking can be a great art"; "people are needed who have experience in cookery"; "he left the preparation of meals to his wife" spread, unfold, open, spread out - spread out or open from a closed or folded state; "open the map"; "spread your arms" | |
| 3. | butterfly - talk or behave amorously, without serious intentions; "The guys always try to chat up the new secretaries"; "My husband never flirts with other women" talk, speak - exchange thoughts; talk with; "We often talk business"; "Actions talk louder than words" wanton - engage in amorous play vamp - act seductively with (someone) |
butterfly
noun >> young caterpillar, chrysalis or chrysalid >> enthusiast lepidopterist
Translations
butterfly [ˈbʌtəflaɪ] n → Schmetterling m;
(Swimming) (also: butterfly stroke) → Schmetterlingsstil m, Butterfly m
n butterfly [ˈbatəflai]
a type of insect with large (often coloured) wings. skoenlapper فَراشَه пеперуда motýl sommerfugl der Schmetterling πεταλούδα mariposa liblikas پروانه perhonen papillon פַּרפַּר तितली leptir lepke kupu-kupu fiðrildi farfalla 蝶 나비 drugelis tauriņš rama-rama vlinder sommerfugl motyl borboleta fluture бабочка motýľ metulj leptir fjäril ผีเสื้อ kelebek 蝴蝶 метелик تتلی con bướm 蝴蝶
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