button

but•ton

[[t]ˈbʌt n[/t]] n.

1) clo a small disk, knob, or the like attached to an article, as of clothing, and serving as a fastener when passed through a buttonhole or loop

2) anything resembling a button, esp. in being small and round, as a candy, ornament, or marker

3) cvb a badge or emblem bearing a name, slogan, or the like, for wear on the lapel, dress, etc.:

campaign buttons[/ex]

4) a small knob or disk pressed to activate an electric circuit, operate a machine, open a door, etc

5) cmp cmp (in a graphical user interface) any of the small, labeled, button-shaped areas upon which the user can click, as with a mouse, to choose an option

6) fng a young or undeveloped mushroom

7) zool. 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) inf spo Informal. the point of the chin

9) mel (in assaying) a small globule or lump of metal at the bottom of a crucible after fusion

10) spo the protective, blunting knob fixed to the point of a fencing foil

11) to fasten with or as if with a button or buttons:

Button your coat[/ex]

12) to insert (a button) in a buttonhole or loop

13) to be capable of being buttoned:

This coat buttons up the front[/ex]

•

- button up (right) on the button

Etymology: 1275–1325; ME boto(u) n < AF: rosehip, button, stud; MF boton=boter to butt III+-on n. suffix but′ton•er, n. but′ton•less, adj.