蝴蝶

Etymology
From Middle Chinese *ɦuo dep (first syllable unstressed), from Old Chinese *ɡaː l'eːb, derived from a proto-form of *kʰleːp ~ *ɦleːp, a prefixed form of the root *lep (“butterfly”), which was also the source of.


 * 🇨🇬 and

Variants of 胡蝶 / 蝴蝶, representing different developments from the proto-form, including disyllabification, fricativisation of the voiceless initial, etc.:

There are different theories regarding the original meaning of the root *lep:
 * , represented by the phonetic element in Chinese. Related to, , 🇨🇬,  and 🇨🇬. See  for more.
 * , whence also, and 🇨🇬. Compare 🇨🇬, and Tagalog kislap ("to sparkle").

Alternatively, proposes that 蝴蝶 is a fission reduplication of two cognate bases, the former being more likely:
 * , alluding to the flapping motion of the butterfly's wings, or
 * , from the way the butterfly holds its wings erect when not flying.

Compare 🇨🇬,.

Noun



 * 1) butterfly
 * 2)  hinge device for the pivoting of a door
 * 1)  hinge device for the pivoting of a door

Synonyms