I. ˈbü-ē, ˈbȯi noun
Etymology: Middle English boye, probably from Middle Dutch boeye; akin to Old High German bouhhan sign — more at beacon
Date: 13th century
1. : float 2 ; especially : a floating object moored to the bottom to mark a channel or something (as a shoal) lying under the water
2. : life buoy
[
buoy 1
]
II. verb
Date: 1596
transitive verb
1. : to mark by or as if by a buoy
2.
a. : to keep afloat
b. : support , uplift
an economy buoy ed by the dramatic postwar growth of industry — Time
3. : to raise the spirits of — usually used with up
hope buoy s him up
intransitive verb
: float — usually used with up