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BUFFET

 - 6 dictionary results

buf⋅fet

1[buhf-it] noun, verb, -fet⋅ed, -fet⋅ing.
–noun
1. a blow, as with the hand or fist.
2. a violent shock or concussion.
–verb (used with object)
3. to strike, as with the hand or fist.
4. to strike against or push repeatedly: The wind buffeted the house.
5. to contend against; battle.
–verb (used without object)
6. to struggle with blows of hand or fist.
7. to force one's way by a fight, struggle, etc.

Origin:
1175–1225; ME < OF buffe a blow + -et -et


buf⋅fet⋅er, noun


3. slap, cuff, box, hit, sock, wallop.

buf⋅fet

2[buh-fey, boo- or, esp. for adj., boo-fey; Brit. buhf-it]
–noun
1. a sideboard or cabinet for holding china, table linen, etc.
2. a meal laid out on a table or sideboard so that guests may serve themselves.
3. a counter, bar, or the like, for lunch or refreshments.
4. a restaurant containing such a counter or bar.
–adjective
5. consisting of food, refreshments, etc., laid out on tables or buffets from which guests or customers serve themselves: a buffet supper; buffet service.

Origin:
1710–20; < F, OF, of obscure orig.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To BUFFET
buf·fet 1   (bə-fā', bōō-)   
n.  
  1. A large sideboard with drawers and cupboards.

    1. A counter or table from which meals or refreshments are served.

    2. A restaurant having such a counter.

  2. A meal at which guests serve themselves from various dishes displayed on a table or sideboard.

adj.  Informally served: a buffet luncheon.

[French.]
buf·fet 2   (bŭf'ĭt)   
n.  A blow or cuff with or as if with the hand.
v.   buf·fet·ed, buf·fet·ing, buf·fets

v.   tr.
  1. To hit or beat, especially repeatedly.

  2. To strike against forcefully; batter: winds that buffeted the tent. See Synonyms at beat.

  3. To drive or force with or as if with repeated blows: was buffeted about from job to job by the vagaries of the economy.

  4. To force (one's way) with difficulty.

v.   intr.
To force one's way with difficulty: a ship buffeting against the wind.

[Middle English, from Old French buffet, diminutive of buffe, blow.]
buf'fet·er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

buffet  (v.)
c.1225, from O.Fr., dim. of buffe "a blow," probably echoic of the sound of something soft being hit.

buffet  (n.)
"table," 1718, from Fr. buffet "bench," of uncertain origin. Sense extended 1888 to "meal served from a buffet."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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