n.
- a small disc or knob sewn on to a garment, either to fasten it by being pushed through a buttonhole or for decoration.
- chiefly N. Amer. a decorative badge pinned to clothing.
- a knob on a piece of electrical or electronic equipment which is pressed to operate it.
- Fencing a knob fitted to the point of a foil to make it harmless.
v.
- fasten or be fastened with buttons.
-
(button it)
informal stop talking.
-
(button something up)
informal complete something satisfactorily.
Phrase
- button one's lip
informal stop or refrain from talking. - on the button
informal, chiefly N. Amer. precisely. - push
(or press)
someone's buttons
informal provoke a reaction in someone.
Derivative
- -buttoned adj.
- buttonless adj.
- buttony adj.
Etymology
ME: from OFr. bouton, of Gmc origin and rel. to butt1.