Butterfly \But"ter*fly`\, n.; pl. Butterflies. [Perh. from the
   color of a yellow species. AS. buter-fl[=e]ge,
   buttor-fle['o]ge; cf. G. butterfliege, D. botervlieg. See
   Butter, and Fly.] (Zool.)
   A general name for the numerous species of diurnal
   Lepidoptera.

   Note: [See Illust. under Aphrodite.]
         [1913 Webster]

   Asclepias butterfly. See under Asclepias.

   Butterfly fish (Zool.), the ocellated blenny (Blennius
      ocellaris) of Europe. See Blenny. The term is also
      applied to the flying gurnard.

   Butterfly shell (Zool.), a shell of the genus Voluta.

   Butterfly valve (Mech.), a kind of double clack valve,
      consisting of two semicircular clappers or wings hinged to
      a cross rib in the pump bucket. When open it somewhat
      resembles a butterfly in shape.
      [1913 Webster]

	

	butterfly
    n 1: diurnal insect typically having a slender body with knobbed
         antennae and broad colorful wings
    2: a swimming stroke in which the arms are thrown forward
       together out of the water while the feet kick up and down
       [syn: butterfly, butterfly stroke]
    v 1: flutter like a butterfly
    2: cut and spread open, as in preparation for cooking;
       "butterflied shrimp"
    3: talk or behave amorously, without serious intentions; "The
       guys always try to chat up the new secretaries"; "My husband
       never flirts with other women" [syn: chat up, flirt,
       dally, butterfly, coquet, coquette, romance,
       philander, mash]