buss

[buhs]

noun

1. kiss.

Buss

¹

/ bʌs /

noun

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

buss

²

/ bʌs /

noun

1. an archaic or dialect word for kiss

Word History and Origins

Origin of Buss¹

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. ) )

Word History and Origins

Origin of Buss¹

C16: probably of imitative origin; compare French baiser , German dialect Bussi little kiss