butterfly Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun diurnal insect typically having a slender body with knobbed antennae and broad colorful wings
noun a swimming stroke in which the arms are thrown forward together out of the water while the feet kick up and down
butterfly stroke.
verb flutter like a butterfly
verb cut and spread open, as in preparation for cooking
- butterflied shrimp
verb talk or behave amorously, without serious intentions
coquet; coquette; mash; flirt; romance; philander; dally; chat up.
- The guys always try to chat up the new secretaries
- My husband never flirts with other women

Perh. from the color of a yellow species. AS. buter-flege, buttor-fleóge; cf. G. butterfliege, D. botervlieg. See Butter, and Fly.

plural Butterflies

(Zoöl.) A general name for the numerous species of diurnal Lepidoptera. See Illust. under Aphrodite.