1. n.1 a room or counter where light meals or snacks may be bought (station buffet).
2 a meal consisting of several dishes set out from which guests serve themselves (buffet lunch).
3 also a sideboard or recessed cupboard for china etc.
Phrases and idioms:
buffet car Brit. a railway coach serving light meals or snacks.
Etymology: F f. OF bufet stool, of unkn. orig. 2. v. & n.
--v. (buffeted, buffeting)
1. tr. a strike or knock repeatedly (wind buffeted the trees). b strike, esp. repeatedly, with the hand or fist.
2 tr. (of fate etc.) treat badly; plague (cheerful though buffeted by misfortune).
3 a intr. struggle; fight one's way (through difficulties etc.). b tr. contend with (waves etc.).
--n.
1. a blow, esp. of the hand or fist.
2 a shock.
Etymology: ME f. OF dimin. of bufe blow