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definitions

buttons

[buht-nz]
|

noun (used with a singular verb) Chiefly British.

a bellboy or page in a hotel.

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RELATED WORDS

knob, switch, dial, fastening, catch, frog, clasp, stud, tuner, toggle, adjuster

Nearby words

  1. buttonhole stitch,
  2. buttonhook,
  3. buttonless,
  4. buttonmold,
  5. buttonmould,
  6. buttonwood,
  7. buttony,
  8. buttress,
  9. buttress plate,
  10. buttress root

Origin of buttons

First recorded in 1840–50; so called from the many buttons of his uniform

button

[buht-n]

noun

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.
anything resembling a button, especially in being small and round, as any of various candies, ornaments, tags, identification badges, reflectors, markers, etc.
a badge or emblem bearing a name, slogan, identifying figure, etc., for wear on the lapel, dress, etc.: campaign buttons.
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.
Botany. a bud or other protuberant part of a plant.
Mycology.
  1. a young or undeveloped mushroom.
  2. any protuberant part of a fungus.
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.
Boxing Informal. the point of the chin.
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.
Metallurgy. (in assaying) a small globule or lump of metal at the bottom of a crucible after fusion.
Fencing. the protective, blunting knob fixed to the point of a foil.
Horology. crown(def 19).
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)

to fasten with a button or buttons: She quickly buttoned her coat.
to insert (a button) in a buttonhole or loop: He buttoned the top button of his shirt.
to provide (something) with a button or buttons.

verb (used without object)

to be capable of being buttoned: This coat buttons, but that one zips.

Origin of button

1275–1325; Middle English boto(u)n < Anglo-French: rosehip, button, stud; Middle French boton, equivalent to boter to butt3 + -on noun suffix
Related forms
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for buttons

British Dictionary definitions for buttons

buttons

noun

(functioning as singular) British informal a page boy

button

noun

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
a small round object, such as any of various sweets, decorations, or badges
a small disc that completes an electric circuit when pushed, as one that operates a doorbell or machine
a symbolic representation of a button on the screen of a computer that is notionally depressed by manipulating the mouse to initiate an action
biology any rounded knoblike part or organ, such as an unripe mushroom
fencing the protective knob fixed to the point of a foil
a small amount of metal, usually lead, with which gold or silver is fused, thus concentrating it during assaying
the piece of a weld that pulls out during the destructive testing of spot welds
rowing a projection around the loom of an oar that prevents it slipping through the rowlock
British an object of no value (esp in the phrase not worth a button)
slang intellect; mental capacity (in such phrases as a button short, to have all one's buttons, etc)
on the button informal exactly; precisely

verb

to fasten with a button or buttons
(tr) to provide with buttons
(tr) fencing to hit (an opponent) with the button of one's foil
button one's lip, button up one's lip, button one's mouth or button up one's mouth to stop talking: often imperative
See also buttons, button up
Derived Formsbuttoner, nounbuttonless, adjectivebuttony, adjective

Word Origin for button

C14: from Old French boton, from boter to thrust, butt, of Germanic origin; see butt ³
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
Word Origin and History for buttons
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Medicine definitions for buttons

button

[bŭt′n]

n.

A knoblike structure, device, or lesion.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Idioms and Phrases with buttons

button

In addition to the idioms beginning with button

  • button one's lip
  • button up

also see:

  • cute as a button
  • have all one's buttons
  • on the button
  • push (press) someone's buttons
  • push the panic button
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.