buttons

[buht-nz]

but·tons

[buht-nz]
noun (used with a singular verb) Chiefly British.
a bellboy or page in a hotel.

Origin:
1840–50; so called from the many buttons of his uniform

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Buttons is always a great word to know.
So is slumgullion. Does it mean:
a gadget; dingus; thingumbob.
a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc.
Dictionary.com Unabridged

but·ton

[buht-n]
noun
1.
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.
2.
anything resembling a button, especially in being small and round, as any of various candies, ornaments, tags, identification badges, reflectors, markers, etc.
3.
a badge or emblem bearing a name, slogan, identifying figure, etc., for wear on the lapel, dress, etc.: campaign buttons.
4.
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.
5.
Botany. a bud or other protuberant part of a plant.
EXPAND
6.
Mycology.
a.
a young or undeveloped mushroom.
b.
any protuberant part of a fungus.
7.
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.
8.
Boxing Informal. the point of the chin.
9.
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.
10.
Metallurgy. (in assaying) a small globule or lump of metal at the bottom of a crucible after fusion.
11.
Fencing. the protective, blunting knob fixed to the point of a foil.
12.
Horology. crown (def. 19).
13.
Computers. (in a graphical user interface) any of the small, labeled areas upon which the user can click with a mouse to choose an option.
COLLAPSE
verb (used with object)
14.
to fasten with a button or buttons: She quickly buttoned her coat.
15.
to insert (a button) in a buttonhole or loop: He buttoned the top button of his shirt.
16.
to provide (something) with a button or buttons.
verb (used without object)
17.
to be capable of being buttoned: This coat buttons, but that one zips.
18.
button up, Informal.
a.
Also, button one's lip. to become or keep silent.
b.
to fasten securely; close up: Within a short time, everything on the submarine was buttoned up.
c.
to fasten fully or put on, especially an outer garment: Button up before going out.
d.
to complete successfully; finish: The report is all buttoned up.
19.
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.
20.
on the button, Informal. exactly as desired, expected, specified, etc.: The prediction for snow was right on the button.

Origin:
1275–1325; Middle English boto(u)n < Anglo-French: rosehip, button, stud; Middle French boton, equivalent to boter to butt3 + -on noun suffix

but·ton·er, noun
but·ton·like, adjective
mis·but·ton, verb (used with object)
mis·but·toned, adjective
re·but·ton, verb (used with object)
EXPAND
well-but·toned, adjective
COLLAPSE
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source Link To buttons
Collins
World English Dictionary
buttons (ˈbʌtənz)
 
n
informal (Brit) (functioning as singular) a page boy

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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