buttonhook

American  

[buht-n-hook] / ˈbʌt nˌhʊk /

noun

1. a small, usually metal hook for pulling buttons through buttonholes, as on gloves, dresses, breeches, etc.

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buttonhook British  

/ ˈbʌtənˌhʊk /

noun

1. a thin tapering hooked instrument formerly used for pulling buttons through the buttonholes of gloves, shoes, etc

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Etymology

Origin of buttonhook

First recorded in 1865–70; button + hook ¹

Example Sentences

Setting down my buttonhook, I rose to my feet.

From Literature

Some are emblazoned with catchy brand names like Presto, U-Neek and Pullezi, and their resourceful attachments include saws, hatchets, chisels and buttonhooks.

From New York Times

One was a crafty buttonhook route, where Watkins found a soft spot in the middle of the Denver defense and ran untouched 10 yards for the score.

From Washington Times

Sam Houston gave me a buttonhook, and Lamar gave me a pincushion shaped like a fat red tomato.

From Literature

Early photographs from Ellis Island show health inspectors using buttonhooks to flip over immigrants’ eyelids, looking for the telltale white pustules.

From New York Times