Part 1449

<h1>Buffer</h1> <Xpage=189>

<hw>Buff"er</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[Prop a <ets>striker</ets>. See <er>Buffet</er> a blow.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <fld>(Mech.)</fld> <sd>(a)</sd> <def>An elastic apparatus or fender, for deadening the jar caused by the collision of bodies; <as>as, a <ex>buffer</ex> at the end of a railroad car</as>.</def> <sd>(b)</sd> <def>A pad or cushion forming the end of a fender, which recieves the blow; -- sometimes called <altname>buffing apparatus</altname>.</def>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>One who polishes with a buff.</def>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>A wheel for buffing; a buff.</def>

<p><b>4.</b> <def>A good-humored, slow-witted fellow; -- usually said of an elderly man.</def> <mark>[Colloq.]</mark>

<i>Dickens.</i>

<h1>Bufferhead</h1> <Xpage=189>

<hw>Buff"er*head`</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>The head of a buffer, which recieves the concussion, in railroad carriages.</def>

<h1>Buffet</h1> <Xpage=189>

<hw>Buf*fet"</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[F. <ets>buffet</ets>, LL. <ets>bufetum</ets>; of uncertain origin; perh. fr. the same source as E. <ets>buffet</ets> a blow, the root meaning <ets>to puff</ets>, hence (cf. <ets>puffed up</ets>) the idea of ostentation or display.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>A cupboard or set of shelves, either movable or fixed at one side of a room, for the display of plate, china, etc., a sideboard.</def>

<blockquote>Not when a gilt <b>buffet's</b> reflected pride Turns you from sound philosophy aside. <i>Pope.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>A counter for refreshments; a restaurant at a railroad station, or place of public gathering.</def>

<h1>Buffet</h1> <Xpage=189>

<hw>Buf"fet</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[OE. <ets>buffet</ets>, <ets>boffet</ets>, OF. <ets>buffet</ets> a slap in the face, a pair of bellows, fr. <ets>buffe</ets> blow, cf. F. <ets>bouffer</ets> to blow, puff; prob. akin to E. <ets>puff</ets>. For the meaning <ets>slap</ets>, <ets>blow</ets>, cf. F. <ets>soufflet</ets> a slap, <ets>souffler</ets> to blow. See <er>Puff</er>, <tt>v. i.</tt>, and cf. <er>Buffet</er> sidebroad, <er>Buffoon</er>]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>A blow with the hand; a slap on the face; a cuff.</def>

<blockquote>When on his cheek a <b>buffet</b> fell. <i>Sir W. Scott.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>A blow from any source, or that which affects like a blow, as the violence of winds or waves; a stroke; an adverse action; an affliction; a trial; adversity.</def>

<blockquote>Those planks of tough and hardy oak that used for yeas to brave the <b>buffets</b> of the Bay of Biscay. <i>Burke.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>Fortune's <b>buffets</b> and rewards. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>A small stool; a stool for a buffet or counter.</def>

<blockquote>Go fetch us a light <b>buffet</b>. <i>Townely Myst.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Buffet</h1> <Xpage=189>

<hw>Buf"fet</hw>, <tt>v. t.</tt> <wordforms>[<tt>imp. & p. p.</tt> <er>Buffeted</er>; <tt>p. pr. & vb. n.</tt> <er>Buffeting</er>.]</wordforms> <ety>[OE. <ets>buffeten</ets>, OF. <ets>buffeter</ets>. See the preceding noun.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>To strike with the hand or fist; to box; to beat; to cuff; to slap.</def>

<blockquote>They spit in his face and <b>buffeted</b> him. <i>Matt. xxvi. 67.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>To affect as with blows; to strike repeatedly; to strive with or contend against; <as>as, to <ex>buffet</ex> the billows</as>.</def>

<blockquote>The sudden hurricane in thunder roars, <b>Buffets</b> the bark, and whirls it from the shores. <i>Broome.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>You are lucky fellows who can live in a dreamland of your own, instead of being <b>buffeted</b> about the world. <i>W. Black.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>3.</b> <ety>[Cf. <er>Buffer</er>.]</ety> <def>To deaden the sound of (bells) by muffling the clapper.</def>

<h1>Buffet</h1> <Xpage=189>