Butterbump
(But"ter*bump`) n. [OE. buttur the bittern + 5th bump.] (Zoöl.) The European bittern.
Johnson.
Butterbur
(But"ter*bur`) n. (Bot.) A broad-leaved plant (Petasites vulgaris) of the Composite family,
said to have been used in England for wrapping up pats of butter.
Buttercup
(But"ter*cup`) n. (Bot.) A plant of the genus Ranunculus, or crowfoot, particularly R. bulbosus,
with bright yellow flowers; — called also butterflower, golden cup, and kingcup. It is the cuckoobud of
Shakespeare.
Butter-fingered
(But"ter-fin`gered) a. Apt to let things fall, or to let them slip away; slippery; careless.
Butterfish
(But"ter*fish`) n. (Zoöl.) A name given to several different fishes, in allusion to their slippery
coating of mucus, as the Stromateus triacanthus of the Atlantic coast, the Epinephelus punctatus of
the southern coast, the rock eel, and the kelpfish of New Zealand.
Butterfly
(But"ter*fly`) n.; pl. Butterflies [Perh. from the color of a yellow species. AS. buter-flege,
buttor-fleóge; cf. G. butterfliege, D. botervlieg. See Butter, and Fly.] (Zoöl.) A general name for the
numerous species of diurnal Lepidoptera. [See Illust. under Aphrodite.]
Asclepias butterfly. See under Asclepias. — Butterfly fish (Zoöl.), the ocellated blenny (Blennius
ocellaris) of Europe. See Blenny. The term is also applied to the flying gurnard. — Butterfly shell
(Zoöl.), 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.
Butterine
(But"ter*ine) n. A substance prepared from animal fat with some other ingredients intermixed,
as an imitation of butter.
The manufacturers ship large quantities of oleomargarine to England, Holland, and other countries, to
be manufactured into butter, which is sold as butterine or suine.
Johnson's Cyc.
Butteris
(But"ter*is) n. [The same word as buttress, noun, in a different application, F. bouter to push.]
(Far.) A steel cutting instrument, with a long bent shank set in a handle which rests against the shoulder
of the operator. It is operated by a thrust movement, and used in paring the hoofs of horses.
Butterman
(But"ter*man`) n.; pl. Buttermen A man who makes or sells butter.
Buttermilk
(But"ter*milk`) n. The milk that remains after the butter is separated from the cream.
Butternut
(But"ter*nut`) n.
1. (Bot.) An American tree (Juglans cinerea) of the Walnut family, and its edible fruit; — so called from
the oil contained in the latter. Sometimes called oil nut and white walnut.
2. (Bot.) The nut of the Caryocar butyrosum and C. nuciferum, of S. America; — called also Souari
nut.
Butter-scotch
(But"ter-scotch`) n. A kind of candy, mainly composed of sugar and butter. [Colloq.] Dickens.
Butterweed
(But"ter*weed`) n. (Bot.) An annual composite plant of the Mississippi valley (Senecio
lobatus).
Butterweight
(But"ter*weight`) n. Over weight. Swift.
Formerly it was a custom to give 18 ounces of butter for a pound.
