ˈbʌtn n. & v. --n. 1 a
small disc or
knob sewn on to a
garment,
either to
fasten it by
being pushed
through a
buttonhole, or as an
ornament or
badge. 2 a knob on a
piece of
esp.
electronic equipment which is pressed to
operate it. 3 a a small
round object (chocolate buttons). b (attrib.)
anything resembling a button (button nose). 4 a a bud. b a button
mushroom. 5
Fencing a
terminal knob on a foil
making it
harmless. --v. 1 tr. & intr. = button up 1. 2 tr. supply
with buttons. øbuttonball
tree (or button wood) US a plane-tree, Platanus occidentalis. button
chrysanthemum a
variety of chrysanthemum with small
spherical flowers. buttoned up colloq. 1
formal and inhibited in
manner. 2
silent. button one's
lip esp. US sl.
remain silent. button mushroom a
young unopened mushroom. button-through (of a dress) fastened with buttons
from neck to hem like a
coat. button up 1 fasten with buttons. 2 colloq.
complete (a
task etc.) satisfactorily. 3 colloq.
become silent.
not worth a button
worthless. on
the button esp. US sl.
precisely. øøbuttoned adj. buttonless adj. buttony adj. [ME f. OF bouton, ult. f. Gmc]
