Defn: Apt to let things fall, or to let them slip away; slippery; careless.
BUTTERFISH
But"ter*fish`, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [Perh. from the color of a
yellow species. AS. buter-flege, buttor-fleóge; cf. G. butterfliege,
D. botervlieg. See Butter, and Fly.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A general name for the numerous species of diurnal Lepidoptera.
Note: [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.
Defn: 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. Etym: [The same word as buttress, noun, in a different application, F. bouter to push.] (Far.)
Defn: 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.