butterfly collector
1
4.1
- noun
- /ˈbʌtərflaɪ kəˈlɛktər/
:
coleccionista de mariposas
- The young boy dreamed of becoming a butterfly collector, inspired by the colorful insects he saw in his garden.
Examples
-
Most butterfly collectors take only a couple of butterflies of each species (kind) they find.
Fiction book (1998) -
A dedicated butterfly collector spends hours in the field, observing the behavior of various species.
-
During the annual festival, many butterfly collectors display their rare and beautifully preserved specimens.
Synonyms
1
9.9
A person who studies or collects butterflies and moths
A person who studies and collects butterflies and moths
A person who collects, raises or studies butterflies
How Expert
- Specialized
13
8.1
- Specialized
1
9.9
1
4.1
12
3.5
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a person who collects butterflies' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'butterfly' (a lepidopteran) with 'collector' (a person who gathers items). This noun-noun compound follows a common compositional pattern found across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the intended meaning.
Etymology
Butterfly collector The compound noun butterfly collector comes from the clear image of someone using a net to catch a butterfly and keep it to study or show. The word collector simply means the person who gathers them, so the phrase means 'a person who collects and studies butterflies'.