butterfly
butterfly
Pronunciation
butterfly
/ˈbʌt.ər.flaɪ/
bʌt: /b/ (voiced bilabial plosive) + /ʌ/ (near-open central vowel) + /t/ (voiceless alveolar plosive)
ər: /ər/ (r-colored vowel, or schwa with r-coloring)
flaɪ: /f/ (voiceless labiodental fricative) + /l/ (voiced alveolar lateral approximant) + /aɪ/ (diphthong)
Word Form Variations
Singular: butterfly
Plural: butterflies
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
1. An insect of the order Lepidoptera, characterized by large, often brightly colored wings, a slender body, and typically diurnal habits. They undergo complete metamorphosis, with a larval stage (caterpillar) and a pupal stage (chrysalis) before emerging as an adult. * Synonyms: none commonly used for the insect itself * Antonyms: none
2. (Figurative) A person who is perceived as flighty, restless, or superficial, often moving quickly from one activity or social group to another without deep commitment. * Synonyms: socialite, dilettante, gadabout, flibbertigibbet * Antonyms: anchor, bedrock, homebody, steadfast
3. (Figurative) A swimming stroke in which both arms are brought forward simultaneously over the head and then propelled backward through the water, while the legs execute a dolphin kick. * Synonyms: none commonly used for the swimming stroke * Antonyms: none
4. (Figurative) Something shaped like a butterfly, particularly an ornamental bow tie or a type of valve. * Synonyms: bow tie (for the necktie), flap (for a valve) * Antonyms: none
Examples of Use
Books:
"When she was a child, she caught a butterfly in a jar and watched its intricate wings flutter, a moment that always stayed with her." (From The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd)
"The famous 'butterfly effect' in chaos theory suggests that a small change in one place can result in large differences elsewhere." (From Chaos: Making a New Science by James Gleick)
Newspapers:
"Conservationists are launching a new initiative to protect endangered butterfly species in the region, citing habitat loss as a major threat." ( The Guardian)
"The swimmer executed a powerful butterfly stroke, narrowly beating her competitor to the finish line in the Olympic trials." (The New York Times)
Online Publications:
"How to attract monarch butterflies to your garden: a comprehensive guide to planting the right flowers and providing essential resources." ( National Geographic Online)
"Scientists recently discovered a new species of iridescent butterfly deep within the Amazon rainforest, highlighting the immense biodiversity of the area." (Scientific American)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: In the movie Papillon (1973), the protagonist's butterfly tattoo symbolizes his desire for freedom.
Music: Mariah Carey's 1997 album and title track "Butterfly" uses the imagery to represent transformation and liberation.
Television: In the nature documentary series Planet Earth, episodes frequently showcase the life cycles and migrations of various butterfly species.
Video Games: The Pokémon character Butterfree is a large, winged insect inspired by a butterfly.
General Public Discourse:
"I always get butterflies in my stomach before a big presentation." (Common idiom expressing nervousness)
"She's a real social butterfly, always flitting from one party to another." (Figurative use describing a person's social habits)
10 Quotes Using Butterfly
"Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you." (Nathaniel Hawthorne)
"The butterfly counts not months but moments, and has time enough." (Rabindranath Tagore)
"We are like the butterfly who ordinarily looks himself in the mirror of the lake and is always dreaming about an incredible king and queen who might be under the lake and not yet visible." (Chögyam Trungpa)
"What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls a butterfly." (Richard Bach)
"A butterfly lights beside us like a sunbeam, and for a brief moment its glory and beauty belong to our world." (Anonymous)
"I'd rather be a happy butterfly than a miserable king." (Alexander Pushkin)
"Just living is not enough... one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower." (Hans Christian Andersen, often misattributed as including "a butterfly" but sometimes modified to include it in common parlance)
"The butterfly effect is a concept that small causes can have large effects." (Edward Lorenz, referencing his scientific theory)
"If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterfly." (Anonymous)
"The most beautiful thing in the world is a butterfly." (Unknown)
Etymology
The word "butterfly" comes from Old English, where it was "buttorfleoge." It's essentially a combination of "butter" and "fly."
Now, why these two words were put together is a bit of a mystery, and there are a few theories:
Color Theory: One popular idea is that it came from the color of some common butterflies, particularly the yellow brimstone butterfly, which is the color of butter.
Dairy Thief Theory: Another theory, often seen in older German and Dutch names for butterflies, suggests that people believed these insects (or even witches disguised as them) would steal butter or milk if left uncovered.
Excrement Theory: A more unusual theory proposes that the name came from the color of the butterfly's first excrement after emerging from its chrysalis, which can be yellowish.
The first known use of "butterfly" to refer to the insect we know today dates back to the Old English period, before 1150. So, for a very long time, English speakers have used this distinctive, and somewhat puzzling, name for these beautiful winged creatures.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Butterfly
Butterflies in one's stomach: To feel nervous or anxious.
Social butterfly: A person who is outgoing and enjoys socializing with many different people.
Butterfly effect: A phenomenon where a small change in one place can result in large differences elsewhere.
Break a butterfly on a wheel: To use excessive force or effort to solve a minor problem.
Have a butterfly mind: To be easily distracted or to have thoughts that flit from one thing to another.
A butterfly kiss: A very light and gentle kiss, often done by fluttering one's eyelashes against another person's skin.
Dance like a butterfly, sting like a bee: A famous phrase describing a boxing style (associated with Muhammad Ali).
Butterfly stroke: A specific swimming style.
Chasing butterflies: To pursue something elusive or unattainable, or to be aimless.
Flutter like a butterfly: To move lightly and quickly from place to place.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of butterfly from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
