Butterflies - Definitions from Dictionary.com

3 results for: Butterflies

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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

but·ter·fly

Audio Help [buht-er-flahy] Pronunciation Key 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.

[Origin: bef. 1000; ME boterflye, OE buttorfléoge. See butter, fly²

]

—Related forms

but·ter·fly·like, adjective, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

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Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Butterflies

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

but·ter·fly Audio Help (bŭt'ər-flī') Pronunciation Key
n.

Any of various insects of the order Lepidoptera, characteristically having slender bodies, knobbed antennae, and four broad, usually colorful wings.
A person interested principally in frivolous pleasure: a social butterfly.
Sports
1. 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.
2. A race or a leg of a race in which this stroke is swum.
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 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.

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On-line Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

butterflies

butterflies: in CancerWEB's On-line Medical Dictionary

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