buss

American  

[buhs] / bʌs /

noun

1. kiss.

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Buss ¹ British  

/ bʌs /

noun

1. Frances Mary . 1827–94, British educationalist; a pioneer of secondary education for girls, who campaigned for women's admission to university

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buss ² British  

/ bʌs /

noun

1. an archaic or dialect word for kiss

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Etymology

Origin of buss

First recorded in 1560–70; perhaps blend of obsolete bass “to kiss” (perhaps from or akin to obsolete French baiser “to kiss,” from Latin bāsiāre; basiate ( def. ) ) and obsolete cuss “to kiss” (cognate with German Kuss, Old Norse koss; replacing Middle English, Old English coss ); perhaps from Scottish bus “cheek, lip, mouth” ( puss ² ( def. ) )

Example Sentences

Being alone at the bar and putting my phone down to just sip and eat while listening to the buss around me was a ritual long missed.

From Seattle Times • May 21, 2022

Everyone is out of the buss and are being medically evaluated.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2022

But it wasn't even just for that reason: we just used to go there, play games and buss jokes - and Cadet would be dancing.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2020

Spalding, manning the late shift, still offers a buss on the cheek to old friends, a how’s-your-meal to new arrivals, a complimentary bottle of organic soda to a customer reluctant to try it.

From The New Yorker • Sep. 24, 2018

The buss tires thumped on the highway like a heartbeat.

From "The Honest Truth" by Dan Gemeinhart