buff1
n.
- a yellowish-beige colour.
- a dull yellow leather with a velvety surface.
- a cloth or pad used for polishing.
v.
polish (something).
▸give (leather) a velvety finish by removing the surface of the grain.
adj.
(also
buffed)
N. Amer. informal in good physical shape; muscular.
Phrase
- in the buff
informal naked.
Etymology
C16: prob. from Fr. buffle, from Ital. bufalo, from late L. bufalus (see buffalo).
buff2
n.
informal a person who is interested in and very knowledgeable about a particular subject:
a computer buff.
Etymology
early 20th cent.: from buff1, orig. applied to fire-watchers, because of the buff uniforms worn by New York firemen.