Dictionary.com
definitions

buffet

1
[ buhf-it ]
/ ˈbʌf ɪt /
||
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR buffet ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a blow, as with the hand or fist.
a violent shock or concussion.

verb (used with object), buf·fet·ed, buf·fet·ing.

verb (used without object), buf·fet·ed, buf·fet·ing.

to struggle with blows of hand or fist.
to force one's way by a fight, struggle, etc.

RELATED WORDS

cafeteria, smorgasbord, clobber, batter, jolt, pummel, shelf, sideboard, counter, cupboard, box, knock, pound, shove, spank, flail, beat, bump, wallop, smack

Nearby words

  1. buffer,
  2. buffer state,
  3. buffer stock,
  4. buffer value,
  5. buffer zone,
  6. buffet car,
  7. buffeting,
  8. buffett,
  9. bufflehead,
  10. buffo

Origin of buffet

1
1175–1225; Middle English < Old French buffe a blow + -et -et
Related formsbuf·fet·er, nounun·buf·fet·ed, adjective

Definition for buffet (2 of 2)

buffet

2
[ buh-fey, boo- adjective, boo-fey; British buhf-it ]
/ bəˈfeɪ, bʊ- adjective, ˈbu feɪ; British ˈbʌf ɪt /

noun

a sideboard or cabinet for holding china, table linen, etc.
a meal laid out on a table or sideboard so that guests may serve themselves.
a counter, bar, or the like, for lunch or refreshments.
a restaurant containing such a counter or bar.

adjective

consisting of food, refreshments, etc., laid out on tables or buffets from which guests or customers serve themselves: a buffet supper; buffet service.

Origin of buffet

2
1710–20; < French, Old French, of obscure origin
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for buffet

British Dictionary definitions for buffet (1 of 3)

buffet

1

noun

(ˈbʊfeɪ) a counter where light refreshments are served
(ˈbʊfeɪ)
  1. a meal at which guests help themselves from a number of dishes and often eat standing up
  2. (as modifier)a buffet lunch
(ˈbʌfɪt, ˈbʊfeɪ) a piece of furniture used from medieval times to the 18th century for displaying plates, etc and typically comprising one or more cupboards and some open shelves
(ˈbʌfɪ) Scot and Northern English dialect a kind of low stool, pouffe, or hassock

Word Origin for buffet

C18: from French, of unknown origin

British Dictionary definitions for buffet (2 of 3)

buffet

2
/ (ˈbʌfɪt) /

verb -fets, -feting or -feted

(tr) to knock against or about; batterthe wind buffeted the boat
(tr) to hit, esp with the fist; cuff
to force (one's way), as through a crowd
(intr) to struggle; battle

noun

a blow, esp with a fist or hand
aerodynamic excitation of an aircraft structure by separated flows
Derived Formsbuffeter, noun

Word Origin for buffet

C13: from Old French buffeter, from buffet a light blow, from buffe, of imitative origin

British Dictionary definitions for buffet (3 of 3)

Buffet

/ (French byfɛ) /

noun

Bernard (bɛrnar). 1928–99, French painter and engraver. His works are characterized by sombre tones and thin angular forms
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012