Butter

Part of speech: noun, verb

Pronunciation: /ˈbʌt.əɹ/

Definitions

1. A creamy dairy product made by churning fresh or fermented cream ; to spread a soft fatty substance over food like bread ; to excessively flatter or praise someone often to gain favor
2. A solid or semi-solid product derived from cream by churning ; applying a buttery substance smoothly onto a surface, especially food ; giving insincere compliments to influence or manipulate
3. A food ingredient produced by agitating cream until it thickens ; to cover or coat something with a spreadable fat ; to use flattery or praise in an exaggerated or insincere way to charm or persuade

Etymology: The most surprising thing about "butter" is its name for the cow. Its ancient Greek ancestor, "boútūron," was a compound of "boûs," meaning ox or cow, and "tūrós," meaning cheese. Literally, it meant "cow cheese." The Romans borrowed it as "būtȳrum," and it reached English through Proto-West Germanic and Old English "butere," the same root that gave Dutch "boter" and German "Butter" their words. The verb is a separate matter. It is formed from the noun, which is the usual pattern for words that describe applying or doing something to a substance.

Synonyms: margarine, spread