Butterfly
WordNet
noun
(1) A swimming stroke in which the arms are thrown forward together out of the water while the feet kick up and down
(2) Diurnal insect typically having a slender body with knobbed antennae and broad colorful wings
verb
(3) Talk or behave amorously, without serious intentions
"The guys always try to chat up the new secretaries"
"My husband never flirts with other women"
(4) Cut and spread open, as in preparation for cooking
"Butterflied shrimp"
(5) Flutter like a butterfly
WiktionaryText
Etymology
From , from : + , 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.
Noun
- 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
Verb
- 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
- caterpillar
- flutterby
- moth
- Appendix: Animals
- Appendix: Collective nouns