释义 |
but·ter I. \ˈbəd.ə(r), ˈbətə-\ noun (-s) Etymology: Middle English, from Old English butere; akin to Old Frisian & Old High German butera butter; all from a prehistoric West Germanic word borrowed from Latin butyrum butter, from Greek boutyron, from bou- (from bous cow) + -tyron (from tyros cheese); akin to Avestan tūiri- whey and perhaps to Latin tumēre to swell — more at cow, thumb 1. : an important food consisting of a solid emulsion mainly of fat globules, air bubbles, and water droplets made to coalesce by churning the cream obtained from milk and used especially as a spread on bread and in cooking 2. : a substance resembling butter especially in consistency: as a. : an inorganic chloride — not now used technically < butter of zinc > b. : any of various fatty oils remaining nearly solid at ordinary temperatures < vegetable butters > c. : a smooth food spread made from fruit, nuts, or other food < anchovy butter > < apple butter > d. : dairy butter mixed with a savory food or food product < parsley butter > < garlic butter > 3. : butter dish 4. : flattery, cajolery II. transitive verb (buttered ; buttered ; buttering \ˈbəd.əriŋ, ˈbət(ə)riŋ\ ; butters) Etymology: Middle English butteren, from Old English buterian to butter, from butere, n. 1. : to cover or spread with butter 2. : to beguile or cover with lavish or fulsome flattery or praise — usually used with up 3. : to spread the surface of (as a brick or tile) with a plastic material (as mortar) before setting in place |