/ bʌt; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb [ vn ]
1.
to hit or push sb/sth hard with your head
2.
if an animal butts sb/sth, it hits them or it hard with its horns and head
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- butt in (on sb/sth)
- butt out
■ noun
1.
the thick end of a weapon or tool :
a rifle butt
2.
the part of a cigarette or cigar that is left after it has been smoked
3.
( BrE ) a large round container for storing or collecting liquids :
a water butt
4.
( informal , especially NAmE ) the part of the body that you sit on
SYN buttocks :
Get off your butt and do some work!
Get your butt over here! (= Come here!)
5.
the act of hitting sb with your head :
a butt from his head
—see also headbutt
•
IDIOMS
- be the butt of sth
—more at pain noun
••
WORD ORIGIN
verb and noun sense 5 Middle English : from Old French boter , of Germanic origin.
to be the butt of sth. Middle English (originally referring to an archery target or range): from Old French but , of unknown origin; perhaps influenced by French butte rising ground.
noun senses 1 to 2 and noun sense 4 late Middle English : apparently related to Dutch bot stumpy, also to buttock .
noun sense 3 late Middle English : from Old French bot , from late Latin buttis .