- button
- button [but′'n]n.[ME botoun < OFr boton, a button, bud < buter: see BUTT2]1. any small disk, knob, etc. used as a fastening or ornament, as one put through a buttonhole on a garment2. anything small and shaped like a button; specif.,a) a small emblem of membership, distinction, etc., generally worn in the lapelb) a small knoblike part, as a bud on a plant or the end of a rattlesnake's rattlesc) a small knoblike part that is pushed or turned to operate a doorbell, electric lamp, etc.d) a guard on the tip of a fencing foil: see SWORDe) a small, immature mushroom☆ 3. Slang the point of the chinvt., vi.1. to fasten with or as with a button or buttons2. to provide or be provided with a button or buttons——————button up one's lip or button upSlang to refrain from talking; esp., to keep a secret——————☆ on the buttonSlang exactly at the desired point, time, objective, etc.buttonern.
English World dictionary. V. Neufeldt. 2014.