BUOY


Meaning of BUOY in English

/booh"ee, boy/ , n.

1. Naut. a distinctively shaped and marked float, sometimes carrying a signal or signals, anchored to mark a channel, anchorage, navigational hazard, etc., or to provide a mooring place away from the shore.

2. a life buoy.

v.t.

3. to keep afloat or support by or as if by a life buoy; keep from sinking (often fol. by up ): The life jacket buoyed her up until help arrived.

4. Naut. to mark with a buoy or buoys.

5. to sustain or encourage (often fol. by up ): Her courage was buoyed by the doctor's assurances.

v.i.

6. to float or rise by reason of lightness.

[ 1425-75; late ME boye a float boie, boue ( e ) ]

Syn. 5. lift, uplift, boost, lighten; maintain, nurture.

Random House Webster's Unabridged English dictionary.      Полный английский словарь Вебстер - Random House .