buffer

buffer

buffer¹ [buf′ər]

n.

[ BUFF¹, vt. + -ER]

1. a person who buffs or polishes

2. a buffing wheel, stick, block, or cloth

buffer² [buf′ər]

n.

[ BUFF², v. + -ER]

1. a device using padding, springs, hydraulic pressure, etc. to lessen or absorb the shock of collision or impact

2. any person or thing that serves to lessen shock or prevent sharp impact, as between antagonistic forces

3. any substance in a solution that tends to stabilize the hydrogen ion concentration by neutralizing any added acid or alkali

4. a computer storage area that temporarily holds data being transferred from one device to another, as to compensate for the different processing rates of the devices

vt.

1. to protect against shock or impact; cushion or insulate

2. Chem. to add a buffer to (a solution)

buffer³ [buf′ər]

n.

[Brit. Informal] an elderly man variously regarded as old fashioned, stodgy, ineffectual, etc.: usually used with old