Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Buffet?

\Buf*fet"\ (b[oo^]f*f[=a]"), n. [F. buffet, LL. bufetum; of uncertain origin; perh. fr. the same source as E. buffet a blow, the root meaning to puff, hence (cf. puffed up) the idea of ostentation or display.] 1. 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. Not when a gilt buffet's reflected pride Turns you from sound philosophy aside. --Pope. 2. A counter for refreshments; a restaurant at a railroad station, or place of public gathering.
\Buf"fet\ (b[u^]f"f[e^]t), n. [OE. buffet, boffet, OF. buffet a slap in the face, a pair of bellows, fr. buffe blow, cf. F. bouffer to blow, puff; prob. akin to E. puff. For the meaning slap, blow, cf. F. soufflet a slap, souffler to blow. See {Puff}, v. i., and cf. {Buffet} sidebroad, {Buffoon}] 1. A blow with the hand; a slap on the face; a cuff. When on his cheek a buffet fell. --Sir W. Scott. 2. 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. Those planks of tough and hardy oak that used for yeas to brave the buffets of the Bay of Biscay. --Burke. Fortune's buffets and rewards. --Shak. 3. A small stool; a stool for a buffet or counter. Go fetch us a light buffet. --Townely Myst.
\Buf"fet\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Buffeted}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Buffeting}.] [OE. buffeten, OF. buffeter. See the preceding noun.] 1. To strike with the hand or fist; to box; to beat; to cuff; to slap. They spit in his face and buffeted him. --Matt. xxvi. 67. 2. To affect as with blows; to strike repeatedly; to strive with or contend against; as, to buffet the billows. The sudden hurricane in thunder roars, Buffets the bark, and whirls it from the shores. --Broome. You are lucky fellows who can live in a dreamland of your own, instead of being buffeted about the world. --W. Black. 3. [Cf. {Buffer}.] To deaden the sound of (bells) by muffling the clapper.
\Buf"fet\, v. i. 1. To exercise or play at boxing; to strike; to smite; to strive; to contend. If I might buffet for my love, or bound my horse for her favors, I could lay on like a butcher. --Shak. 2. To make one's way by blows or struggling. Strove to buffet to land in vain. --Tennyson.