BUFFER


Meaning of BUFFER in English

buffer 1

/buf"euhr/ , n.

1. an apparatus at the end of a railroad car, railroad track, etc., for absorbing shock during coupling, collisions, etc.

2. any device, material, or apparatus used as a shield, cushion, or bumper, esp. on machinery.

3. any intermediate or intervening shield or device reducing the danger of interaction between two machines, chemicals, electronic components, etc.

4. a person or thing that shields and protects against annoyance, harm, hostile forces, etc., or that lessens the impact of a shock or reversal.

5. any reserve moneys, negotiable securities, legal procedures, etc., that protect a person, organization, or country against financial ruin.

6. See buffer state .

7. Ecol. an animal population that becomes the prey of a predator that usually feeds on a different species.

8. Computers. a storage device for temporarily holding data until the computer is ready to receive or process the data, as when a receiving unit has an operating speed lower than that of the unit feeding data to it.

9. Electronics. a circuit with a single output activated by one or more of several inputs.

10. Chem.

a. any substance or mixture of compounds that, added to a solution, is capable of neutralizing both acids and bases without appreciably changing the original acidity or alkalinity of the solution.

b. Also called buffer solution . a solution containing such a substance.

v.t.

11. Chem. to treat with a buffer.

12. to cushion, shield, or protect.

13. to lessen the adverse effect of; ease: The drug buffered his pain.

[ 1825-35; BUFF 2 + -ER 1 ]

buffer 2

/buf"euhr/ , n.

1. a device for polishing or buffing, as a buff stick or buff wheel.

2. a worker who uses such a device.

[ 1850-55; BUFF 1 + -ER 1 ]

buffer 3

/buf"euhr/ , n. Brit. Slang.

1. a foolish or incompetent person.

2. a fellow; man.

3. a chief boatswain's mate in the British navy.

[ 1680-90; orig. uncert. ]

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