Schmetterling

German

Etymology

From Schmetten (“cream”) due to an old belief that witches transformed themselves into butterflies to steal cream and other milk products.[1] (Contrast the etymology of English butterfly.)

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ˈʃmɛtɐlɪŋ/
  • audio (Germany)(file)

Noun

Schmetterling m (genitive Schmetterlinges or Schmetterlings, plural Schmetterlinge)

  1. butterfly (insect)
  2. butterfly (swimming stroke)

Declension
Declension of Schmetterling
singular plural
indef. def. noun def. noun
nominative ein der Schmetterling die Schmetterlinge
genitive eines des Schmetterlinges,
Schmetterlings		 der Schmetterlinge
dative einem dem Schmetterling,
Schmetterlinge1		 den Schmetterlingen
accusative einen den Schmetterling die Schmetterlinge
1Now uncommon, see notes

Synonyms
  • (insect): (poetic) Falter, (Swiss German) Summervogl
  • (swimming stroke): Delphin

Derived terms
Derived terms

See also

References
  1. Schmetterling in Duden online. / Duden - Deutsches Universalwörterbuch, 4. Aufl. (Mannheim 2001)

Hunsrik

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ˈʃmetɐliŋ/

Noun

Schmetterling m (plural Schmetterling, diminutive Schmetterlingche)

  1. butterfly

Further reading
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