buttonhole

American  

[buht-n-hohl] / ˈbʌt nˌhoʊl /

noun

1. the hole, slit, or loop through which a button is passed and by which it is secured.

2. Chiefly British. a boutonniere.

3. Surgery. a short, straight incision through the wall of a cavity or a canal.

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verb (used with object)

buttonholed, buttonholing

1. to sew with a buttonhole stitch.

2. to make buttonholes in.

3. to hold by the buttonhole or otherwise abruptly detain (someone) in conversation.

   The reporter tried to buttonhole the mayor for a statement on the bus strike.

buttonhole British  

/ ˈbʌtənˌhəʊl /

noun

1. a slit in a garment, etc, through which a button is passed to fasten two surfaces together

2. US name: boutonniere.  a flower or small bunch of flowers worn pinned to the lapel or in the buttonhole, esp at weddings, formal dances, etc

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verb

1. to detain (a person) in conversation

2. to make buttonholes in

3. to sew with buttonhole stitch

Other Word Forms

• buttonholer noun

Etymology

Origin of buttonhole

First recorded in 1555–65; button + hole

Example Sentences

Father stooped down to pick up a small bruised petal from the brick pavement; tenderly he inserted it in his buttonhole.

From Literature

He shook his head and his mouth drew up tight as a buttonhole.

From Literature

One I do buttonhole, Robert, a 14-year-old who's just been for a swim, says he loves his fatbike for the freedom it gives him but he has "kept it legal" and doesn't do "stupid" stuff.

From BBC

His red coat with black trim, red waistcoat with hand-stitched buttonholes and gold regimental buttons, and white breeches “represent the only complete uniform of the Revolutionary war.”

From The Wall Street Journal

At a moment of vulnerability, Harper is buttonholed by an old classmate named Sue.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• assail
• demand
• force
• petition
• push
• squeeze
• sue
• urge
• worry