View synonyms for buttonhole

buttonhole

[ buht-n-hohl ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the hole, slit, or loop through which a button is passed and by which it is secured.
Chiefly British. a boutonniere.
Surgery. a short, straight incision through the wall of a cavity or a canal.

, but·ton·holed, but·ton·hol·ing.

to sew with a buttonhole stitch.
to make buttonholes in.
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

/ ˈbʌtənˌhəʊl /

a slit in a garment, etc, through which a button is passed to fasten two surfaces together
a flower or small bunch of flowers worn pinned to the lapel or in the buttonhole, esp at weddings, formal dances, etc US nameboutonniere

First recorded in 1555–65; button + hole

Samuel P. Jacobs talks to Ken Mehlman about how he helped buttonhole and raise bucks for victory.

And there on the quay, with a flower in his buttonhole and a smile on his fat face, stood Mr. Ras Fendihook.

Cut the buttonhole slot, then punch a hole at the end with an ordinary belt punch.

In making the buttonhole stitch, keep the needle close against the metal edge of the guide, as shown.

It is almost impossible to make a perfect buttonhole in the ordinary manner by hand without a guide.

"You will find out by and by," said Uncle William, coming in with a red rose in his buttonhole.

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