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English
A butterflyEtymology
From Middle English buterflie, from Old English buttorfleoge: butor (“‘butter’”) + fleoge (“‘fly’”), perhaps with reference to the colour of common species including the brimstone butterfly, Gonepteryx rhamni or due to old belief that butterflies - or witches transformed into butterflies - steal cream and other milk products. Compare to German Schmetterling.
Pronunciation
Noun
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Singular butterfly |
Plural butterflies |
butterfly (plural butterflies)
- (insect) A flying insect of the order Lepidoptera, distinguished from moths by their diurnal activity and generally brighter colouring.
- The butterfly stroke.
- A use of surgical tape, cut into thin strips and placed across an open wound to hold it closed.
- butterfly tape
Synonyms
Derived terms
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Verb
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Infinitive to butterfly |
Third person singular butterflies |
Simple past butterflied |
Past participle butterflied |
Present participle butterflying |
to butterfly (third-person singular simple present butterflies, present participle butterflying, simple past and past participle butterflied)
- To cut almost entirely in half and spread the halves apart, in a shape suggesting the wings of a butterfly.
- butterflied shrimp
- To cut strips of surgical tape or plasters into thin strips, and place across a gaping wound to close it.
See also
Anagrams
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