button

¹

[buht-n]

noun

1. a small disk, knob, or the like for sewing or otherwise attaching to an article, as of clothing, serving as a fastening when passed through a buttonhole or loop.

2. anything resembling a button, especially in being small and round, as any of various candies, ornaments, tags, identification badges, reflectors, markers, etc.

3. a badge or emblem bearing a name, slogan, identifying figure, etc., for wear on the lapel, dress, etc..

   campaign buttons.

4. any small knob or disk pressed to activate an electric circuit, release a spring, or otherwise operate or open a machine, small door, toy, etc.

5. Botany.,  a bud or other protuberant part of a plant.

6. Mycology.

   1. a young or undeveloped mushroom.

   2. any protuberant part of a fungus.

7. Zoology.,  any of various small parts or structures resembling a button, as the rattle at the tip of the tail in a very young rattlesnake.

8. Boxing Informal.,  the point of the chin.

9. Also called turn button. a fastener for a door, window, etc., having two arms and rotating on a pivot that is attached to the frame.

10. Metallurgy.,  (in assaying) a small globule or lump of metal at the bottom of a crucible after fusion.

11. Fencing.,  the protective, blunting knob fixed to the point of a foil.

12. Horology.,  crown.

13. Computers.,  (in a graphical user interface) a small, button-shaped or clearly defined area that the user can click on or touch to choose an option.

verb (used with object)

1. to fasten with a button or buttons.

   She quickly buttoned her coat.

2. to insert (a button) in a buttonhole or loop.

   He buttoned the top button of his shirt.

3. to provide (something) with a button or buttons.

verb (used without object)

1. to be capable of being buttoned.

   This coat buttons, but that one zips.

Button

²

[buht-n]

noun

1. Richard Totten Dick, born 1929, U.S. figure skater.

button

/ ˈbʌtən /

noun

1. a disc or knob of plastic, wood, etc, attached to a garment, etc, usually for fastening two surfaces together by passing it through a buttonhole or loop

2. a small round object, such as any of various sweets, decorations, or badges

3. a small disc that completes an electric circuit when pushed, as one that operates a doorbell or machine

4. a symbolic representation of a button on the screen of a computer that is notionally depressed by manipulating the mouse to initiate an action

5. biology any rounded knoblike part or organ, such as an unripe mushroom

6. fencing the protective knob fixed to the point of a foil

7. a small amount of metal, usually lead, with which gold or silver is fused, thus concentrating it during assaying

8. the piece of a weld that pulls out during the destructive testing of spot welds

9. rowing a projection around the loom of an oar that prevents it slipping through the rowlock

10. an object of no value (esp in the phrase not worth a button )

11. slang,  intellect; mental capacity (in such phrases as a button short , to have all one's buttons , etc)

12. informal,  exactly; precisely

verb

1. to fasten with a button or buttons

2. (tr) to provide with buttons

3. (tr) fencing to hit (an opponent) with the button of one's foil

4. to stop talking: often imperative

Other Word Forms

• buttoner noun
• buttonlike adjective
• misbutton verb (used with object)
• misbuttoned adjective
• rebutton verb (used with object)
• well-buttoned adjective
• buttony adjective
• buttonless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of button¹

1275–1325; Middle English boto ( u ) n < Anglo-French: rosehip, button, stud; Middle French boton, equivalent to boter to butt ³ + -on noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of button¹

C14: from Old French boton , from boter to thrust, butt, of Germanic origin; see _butt ³

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. have all one's buttons, to be mentally competent, alert, and sane; have all one's wits.

   At 106 she still has all her buttons.

2. button up,

   1. Also button one's lip. to become or keep silent.

   2. to fasten securely; close up.

      Within a short time, everything on the submarine was buttoned up.

   3. to fasten fully or put on, especially an outer garment.

      Button up before going out.

   4. to complete successfully; finish.

      The report is all buttoned up.

3. on the button, exactly as desired, expected, specified, etc..

   The prediction for snow was right on the button.

More idioms and phrases containing button

• cute as a button
• have all one's buttons
• on the button
• push (press) someone's buttons
• push the panic button

Example Sentences

I thought my complaint would rub her the wrong way, but she just gives me a mischievous smile, as if she likes pushing my buttons.

Read more on Literature

“The wardrobe mistress always needs help. People scarcely know how to sew on a button anymore, it seems. And they call that progress! Come inside and wait. I’ll see if she’s busy.”

Read more on Literature

Margaret whizzed through the buttons on the back of the dress and tied the sash at the back of the skirt into a floppy bow.

Read more on Literature

Ridge, enamored by the “antiquated technology,” asked if he could press the button.

Read more on Literature

“It’s too early to be hitting the panic button yet,” says Daniel Kritenbrink, a partner at the consultancy The Asia Group and previously the assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• dial 
• knob 
• switch