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)
- butterfly (insect)
- 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
- Schmetterlingsblütler
- Schmetterlingsfisch
- Schmetterlingsflügel
- Schmetterlingsnetz
- Schmetterlingsraupe
- Schmetterlingsstil
See also
- Motte
- Nachtfalter, Tagfalter
- Raupe
References
- Schmetterling in Duden online. / Duden - Deutsches Universalwörterbuch, 4. Aufl. (Mannheim 2001)
Hunsrik
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈʃmetɐliŋ/
Noun
Schmetterling m (plural Schmetterling, diminutive Schmetterlingche)
- butterfly
Further reading
- Online Hunsrik Dictionary