noun
plural -flies
[count] :a kind of insect that has a long thin body and brightly colored wings and that flies mostly during the day - see color picture - compare moth
[count] often disapproving :a person who goes to many parties and other social events
[singular] :a way of swimming in which the swimmer's face is in the water and the arms move together in a circular motion while the legs kick up and down
butterflies [plural] informal :a nervous feeling in your stomach
verb
-flies; -flied; -flying
[+ obj] :to cut (food) into two pieces that are joined along one edge so that it can be spread apart for cooking
US