— buttonholer , n.
/but"n hohl'/ , n. , v. , buttonholed, buttonholing .
n.
1. the hole, slit, or loop through which a button is passed and by which it is secured.
2. Chiefly Brit. a boutonniere.
3. Surg. a short, straight incision through the wall of a cavity or a canal.
v.t.
4. to sew with a buttonhole stitch.
5. to make buttonholes in.
6. to hold by the buttonhole or otherwise abruptly detain (someone) in conversation: The reporter tried to buttonhole the mayor for a statement on the bus strike.
[ 1555-65; BUTTON + HOLE ]