butterfly
UK[ˈbʌtəflaɪ]US[ˈbʌtərflaɪ]
n
a flying insect with a long thin body and four large, usually brightly colored, wings.
n
a swimming stroke in which the arms are brought forward together out of the water while the legs move up and down together.
Morpheme Breakdown
butter
fly
butter
butter
fly
flying insect
Etymology
the word "butterfly" is a classic example of an english folk etymology. its old english ancestor, "buttorfleoge," is a compound of "butere" (butter) and "fleoge" (fly). the exact reason for this name is uncertain, but popular theories suggest it may refer to the butter-yellow color of some common species, like the brimstone, or to an old belief that butterflies stole milk and butter. the modern spelling solidified in middle english. the name for the swimming stroke, coined in the 1930s, derives from the symmetrical, wing-like motion of the swimmer's arms, mimicking the insect's flight.
Analysis
Structure: butter + fly
butter (old english, meaning "butter"); fly (old english, meaning "flying insect").
Examples
a beautiful butterfly landed on the flower.
children love to chase butterflies in the garden.
she won the race with a powerful butterfly stroke.