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.
a young or undeveloped mushroom.
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.
BoxingInformal. 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.
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.
Idioms
button up, Informal.
Also button one's lip.to become or keep silent.
to fasten securely; close up: Within a short time, everything on the submarine was buttoned up.
to fasten fully or put on, especially an outer garment: Button up before going out.
to complete successfully; finish: The report is all buttoned up.
have all one's buttons, Informal. to be mentally competent, alert, and sane; have all one's wits: At 106 she still has all her buttons.
on the button, Informal. exactly as desired, expected, specified, etc.: The prediction for snow was right on the button.
Origin of button
1275–1325;Middle Englishboto(u)n < Anglo-French: rosehip, button, stud; Middle Frenchboton, equivalent to boter to butt3 + -on noun suffix
Related formsbut·ton·er, nounbut·ton·like, adjectivemis·but·ton, verb (used with object)mis·but·toned, adjectivere·but·ton, verb (used with object)well-but·toned, adjective
(functioning as singular)Britishinformala 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
biologyany rounded knoblike part or organ, such as an unripe mushroom
fencingthe 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
rowinga projection around the loom of an oar that prevents it slipping through the rowlock
Britishan object of no value (esp in the phrase not worth a button)
slangintellect; mental capacity (in such phrases as a button short, to have all one's buttons, etc)
on the buttoninformalexactly; precisely
verb
to fasten with a button or buttons
(tr)to provide with buttons
(tr)fencingto hit (an opponent) with the button of one's foil
button one's lip, button up one's lip, button one's mouthorbutton up one's mouthto stop talking: often imperative
c.1300 (surname Botouner "button-maker" attested from mid-13c.), from Old French boton "a button," originally "a bud" (12c., Modern French bouton), from bouter, boter "to thrust," common Romanic (cf. Spanish boton, Italian bottone), ultimately from Germanic (see butt (v.)). Thus a button is, etymologically, something that pushes up, or thrusts out.
Meaning "point of the chin" is pugilistic slang, by 1921. A button as something you push to create an effect by closing an (electrical) circuit is attested from 1840s. Button-pusher as "deliberately annoying or provocative person" is attested by 1990 (in reference to Bill Gates, in "InfoWorld" magazine, Nov. 19). In the 1980s it meant "photographer."
button
v.
late 14c., "to furnish with buttons;" early 15c., "to fasten with buttons" (of a garment,) from button (n.) or from Old French botoner (Modern French boutonner), from boton (n.). Related: Buttoned; buttoning. Button-down (adj.) in reference to shirt collars is from 1916.
