51Թ

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View synonyms for

butterfly

[buht-er-flahy]

noun

plural

butterflies 
  1. any of numerous diurnal insects of the order Lepidoptera, characterized by clubbed antennae, a slender body, and large, broad, often conspicuously marked wings.

  2. a person who flits aimlessly from one interest or group to another.

    a social butterfly.

  3. (used with a plural verb)butterflies, a queasy feeling, as from nervousness, excitement, etc.

  4. a racing breaststroke, using a dolphin kick, in which the swimmer brings both arms out of the water in forward, circular motions.

  5. Carpentry.butterfly wedge.

  6. Sculpture.an X -shaped support attached to an armature.

  7. one of the swinging brackets of a butterfly table.

  8. Movies.a screen of scrim, gauze, or similar material, for diffusing light.



verb (used with object)

butterflied, butterflying 
  1. Cooking.to slit open and spread apart to resemble the spread wings of a butterfly.

adjective

  1. Cooking.split open and spread apart to resemble a butterfly.

    butterfly shrimp; butterfly steak.

butterfly

/ ˈʌəˌڱɪ /

noun

  1. any diurnal insect of the order Lepidoptera that has a slender body with clubbed antennae and typically rests with the wings (which are often brightly coloured) closed over the back Compare moth

  2. a person who never settles with one group, interest, or occupation for long

  3. a swimming stroke in which the arms are plunged forward together in large circular movements

  4. commerce the simultaneous purchase and sale of traded call options, at different exercise prices or with different expiry dates, on a stock exchange or commodity market

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • butterflylike adjective
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of butterfly1

First recorded before 1000; Middle English boterflye, Old English ܳٳٴǰڱŧDz; equivalent to butter + fly 1
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of butterfly1

Old English ܳٳٴǰڱŧDz ; the name perhaps is based on a belief that butterflies stole milk and butter
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

It is believed to be a host plant to more than a dozen butterflies and moths in their larval stage and it starts blooming in the late winter, when wildflowers are still trying to awake.

From

She also raised concerns over the environmental impact because honeybees in excessive numbers could outcompete bumblebees, solitary bees and butterflies.

From

Julia asks Anjalee to cross her arms against her chest and start deep breathing and tapping, mimicking a butterfly's wings flapping.

From

Though theoretically humans may have genetic science down that we could rescue any imperiled species, from sea otters to monarch butterflies, this has yet to be fully demonstrated.

From

Last week, the FDA approved three natural color additives — calcium phosphate, Galdieria extract blue and butterfly pea flower extract — to replace them.

From

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butterflies in one's stomachbutterfly ballot