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buttonhole
[buht-n-hohl]
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.
verb (used with object)
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 /
noun
a slit in a garment, etc, through which a button is passed to fasten two surfaces together
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
verb
to detain (a person) in conversation
to make buttonholes in
to sew with buttonhole stitch
Other Word Forms
- buttonholer noun
Word History and Origins
Origin of buttonhole1
Example Sentences
At a moment of vulnerability, Harper is buttonholed by an old classmate named Sue.
The golf stories are narrated by the “oldest member” of an upper-class golf club who buttonholes unwary younger members to regale them with his memories of golfers he has known.
Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust told the BBC that while UK vascular access guidelines do not recommend buttonholing, they "do not specifically state that it is contraindicated".
He calls himself a “conservative moderate” and argues he should not be buttonholed into conventional labels, such as Trump’s Make America Great Again political movement.
They relied on Griffin, who utilized her thick Rolodexes and neighborhood connections to buttonhole politicians, community members and others to fight.
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