- buttorfléoge
- see buterfléoge
Old to modern English dictionary. 2013.
buttorfléoge
Look at other dictionaries:
butterfly — butterflylike, adj., adv. /but euhr fluy /, n., pl. butterflies, v., butterflied, butterflying, adj. n. 1. any of numerous diurnal insects of the order Lepidoptera, characterized by clubbed antennae, a slender body, and large, broad, often… … Universalium
butterfly — O.E. buttorfleoge, perhaps based on the old notion that the insects (or witches disguised as butterflies) consume butter or milk that is left uncovered. Or, less creatively, simply because the pale yellow color of many species wings suggests the… … Etymology dictionary
butterfly — but•ter•fly [[t]ˈbʌt ərˌflaɪ[/t]] n. pl. flies, 1) ent any of numerous flying insects of the order Lepidoptera that are active by day, characterized by clubbed antennae, a slender body, and broad, often conspicuously marked wings 2) a person who… … From formal English to slang
butterfly — /ˈbʌtəflaɪ / (say butuhfluy) noun (plural butterflies) 1. any of a group of lepidopterous insects characterised by clubbed antennae, large, broad wings, often conspicuously coloured and marked, and diurnal habits. 2. Also, social butterfly. a… …
butterfly — [but′ərflī΄] n. pl. butterflies [ME buterflie < OE buttorfleoge (see BUTTER & FLY2): in folklore, it is thought to steal milk or butter] 1. any of various families of lepidopteran insects active in the daytime, having a sucking mouthpart,… … English World dictionary
