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Butterflies - 3 dictionary results
but⋅ter⋅fly
[buht-er-flahy] 
noun, plural -flies, verb, -flied, -fly⋅ing, adjective –noun
| 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. | butterflies, (used with a plural verb ) Informal. 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)
| 9. | Cookery. to slit open and spread apart to resemble the spread wings of a butterfly. |
–adjective Also, butterflied.
| 10. | Cookery. split open and spread apart to resemble a butterfly: butterfly shrimp; butterfly steak. |
butterfly wedge
–noun Carpentry.
| a wooden fastening in the form of a double dovetail for joining two boards at their edges. |
Also called butterfly.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source
|
Link To Butterflies
| but·ter·fly (bŭt'ər-flī') n.
To cut and spread open and flat, as shrimp. [Middle English butterflye, from Old English butorflēoge : butor, butere, butter; see butter + flēoge, 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. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2009, Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
