butterfly
|but-ter-fly|
🇺🇸
/ˈbʌtərˌflaɪ/
🇬🇧
/ˈbʌtəflaɪ/
colorful winged insect
Etymology
'butterfly' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'buttorfleoge', where 'buttor' meant 'butter' and 'fleoge' meant 'fly'.
'buttorfleoge' changed from Old English word 'buttorfleoge' and eventually became the modern English word 'butterfly'.
Initially, it meant 'an insect that flies', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a colorful winged insect'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an insect with two pairs of large, typically colorful wings that are covered with tiny scales.
The garden was full of colorful butterflies.
Synonyms
Noun 2
a swimming stroke performed on the chest with both arms moving symmetrically, accompanied by a dolphin kick.
She won the gold medal in the butterfly event.
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:42