butt

butt

butt¹ [but]

n.

[< several bases, variously confused in E or Fr: ME but, butte, thick end, ? akin to ON būtr, block of wood, Du bot, stumpy, stocky, or ? < OFr bout, end < buter (see BUTT²); ME but, target, boundary < MFr bout, aim, goal, < abuter, to aim < à, at (< L ad) + but, goal (< ?)]

1. the thick end of anything, as of a whip handle, rifle stock, etc.

2. the remaining end of anything; stub; stump; specif., the stub of a smoked cigarette or cigar

3.

a) [? infl. by Fr butte, mound < OFr buter] a mound of earth, bales of straw, etc. behind a target, for receiving fired rounds or shot arrows

b) a target

c) [pl.] a target range

4. a hole in the ground used as a blind by hunters of fowl

5. an object of ridicule or criticism

6. Slang a cigarette

7. Informal the buttocks

8. Obs.

a) a limit

b) a goal

9. Tanning the part of a hide or pelt that covered the animal's backside

vt., vi.

to join end to end

butt² [but]

vt.

[ME butten, to drive, thrust < OFr buter (< Frank * botan), to thrust against: for IE base see BEAT]

1. to strike or push with the head or horns; ram with the head

2. to strike or bump against

3. to abut on

4. to make abut: ( on, upon, or against)

vi.

1. to make a butting motion

2. to move or drive headfirst

3. to stick out; project

4. to abut

n.

[ME; prob. < OFr buter, or < the v.]

1. a thrust with the head or horns

2. a thrust in fencing

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☆ butt in or butt into

Informal to mix into (another's business, a conversation, etc.)

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butt out!

Slang stop meddling! mind your own business!

butt³ [but]

n.

[ME butte < OFr botte < ML butta < LL buttis, cask]

1. a large barrel or cask, as for wine or beer

2. a measure of liquid capacity equal to 126 gal or two hogsheads (108 imperial gal)

butt⁴ [but]

n.

[ME butte, but; prob. < MLowG butte (> Swed butta, Du bot, Ger butte) < adj. butte, lumpy: akin to BUTT²]

any of various flatfishes, as the halibut or turbot