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

/ ˈbʌtəˌflaɪ /

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

Other Word Forms

• butterflylike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of butterfly¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English boterflye, Old English buttorflēoge; equivalent to butter + fly ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of butterfly¹

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

Example Sentences

Visitors will encounter pollinator gardens alive with butterflies and hummingbirds, color-themed landscapes, and cascading water features, all designed to reflect the beauty of Southern California’s environment with scents of rosemary, jasmine and chaparral.

From Los Angeles Times

Inside, a 2,700-square-foot greenhouse is home to over 1,000 butterflies, perfect for wandering on a rainy afternoon—or really any afternoon.

From Salon

Bonus points: At what age did you begin pulling the wings off of butterflies, and which, if any, of the 10 Commandments have you not broken?

From Los Angeles Times

A "new" butterfly species has been recorded in the UK for the first time following the hot weather over the summer.

From BBC

The Natural History Society of Northumbria said the butterfly had not been seen in the county since 1850.

From BBC

Related Words

• ant 
• aphid 
• bee 
• beetle 
• cockroach 
• dragonfly 
• flea 
• fruit fly 
• gnat 
• grasshopper 
• ladybug 
• mite 
• mosquito 
• moth 
• pest 
• spider 
• termite 
• tick