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butterfly
[ buht-er-flahy ]
noun
- any of numerous diurnal insects of the order Lepidoptera, characterized by clubbed antennae, a slender body, and large, broad, often conspicuously marked wings.
- a person who flits aimlessly from one interest or group to another:
a social butterfly.
- butterflies, (used with a plural verb) Informal. a queasy feeling, as from nervousness, excitement, etc.
- a racing breaststroke, using a dolphin kick, in which the swimmer brings both arms out of the water in forward, circular motions.
- Carpentry. butterfly wedge.
- Sculpture. an X -shaped support attached to an armature.
- one of the swinging brackets of a butterfly table.
- Movies. a screen of scrim, gauze, or similar material, for diffusing light.
verb (used with object)
- Cooking. to slit open and spread apart to resemble the spread wings of a butterfly.
adjective
- Cooking. split open and spread apart to resemble a butterfly:
butterfly shrimp; butterfly steak.
butterfly
/ ˈbʌtəˌflaɪ /
noun
- 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 lepidopteran
- a person who never settles with one group, interest, or occupation for long
- a swimming stroke in which the arms are plunged forward together in large circular movements
- 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
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Other Words From
- butter·flylike adjective adverb
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Word History and Origins
Origin of butterfly1
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Word History and Origins
Origin of butterfly1
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Example Sentences
South Florida’s Big Cypress National Preserve is as good a spot to see the butterflies as any.
It’s not all honey and butterflies in our relationship with insects.
Someone who likes their alone time might not have a brain response that is as strong as someone who is a social butterfly.
This technology was demonstrated in artistic replicas of dancing butterflies, fluttering leaves, and blooming flowers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology.
Scientists have observed insects — especially butterflies, bees and flies — crawling into the eyes of animals.
“When you become a peshmerga your life becomes like a butterfly,” she said.
So, to commemorate her 75th birthday, the two got matching butterfly tattoos on their wrists.
This video remedies that injustice, showcasing an owl doing a butterfly stroke in Lake Michigan.
A small wooden cabinet with two butterfly doors held ropes and chains, candles, and sex toys.
The labels included a picture of a butterfly on a blade of grass.
She became my sweetheart, temporarily; but a born butterfly, she soon fluttered away, leaving me disconsolate—for a time!
Out by the hill, a butterfly, snow white, rested a moment on the young girl's hair.
In Leeming-street it was in the chrysalis state; in Fishergate the butterfly epoch has been reached.
A filmy and diaphanous creature was Mrs. Patton also—one could never have dreamed of so exquisite a black butterfly.
I hate to think that he may become a social butterfly on account of his title, but a stanza from Calverly haunts my memory.
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