— buttoner , n. — buttonlike , adj.
/but"n/ , n.
1. a small disk, knob, or the like for sewing or otherwise attaching to an article, as of clothing, serving as a fastening when passed through a buttonhole or loop.
2. anything resembling a button, esp. in being small and round, as any of various candies, ornaments, tags, identification badges, reflectors, markers, etc.
3. a badge or emblem bearing a name, slogan, identifying figure, etc., for wear on the lapel, dress, etc.: campaign buttons.
4. any small knob or disk pressed to activate an electric circuit, release a spring, or otherwise operate or open a machine, small door, toy, etc.
5. Bot. a bud or other protuberant part of a plant.
6. Mycol.
a. a young or undeveloped mushroom.
b. any protuberant part of a fungus.
7. Zool. any of various small parts or structures resembling a button, as the rattle at the tip of the tail in a very young rattlesnake.
8. Boxing. Informal. the point of the chin.
9. Also called turn button . a fastener for a door, window, etc., having two arms and rotating on a pivot that is attached to the frame.
10. Metall. (in assaying) a small globule or lump of metal at the bottom of a crucible after fusion.
11. Fencing. the protective, blunting knob fixed to the point of a foil.
12. Horol. crown (def. 19).
13. Computers. (in a graphical user interface) any of the small, labeled, button-shaped areas upon which the user can click, as with a mouse, to choose an option.
14. have all one's buttons , Informal. to be mentally competent, alert, and sane; have all one's wits: At 106 she still has all her buttons.
15. on the button , Informal. exactly as desired, expected, specified, etc.: The prediction for snow was right on the button.
v.t.
16. to fasten with a button or buttons: She quickly buttoned her coat.
17. to insert (a button) in a buttonhole or loop: He buttoned the top button of his shirt.
18. to provide (something) with a button or buttons.
v.i.
19. to be capable of being buttoned: This coat buttons, but that one zips.
20. button up , Informal.
a. Also, button one's lip . to become or keep silent.
b. to fasten securely; close up: Within a short time, everything on the submarine was buttoned up.
c. to fasten fully or put on, esp. an outer garment: Button up before going out.
d. to complete successfully; finish: The report is all buttoned up.
[ 1275-1325; ME boto ( u ) n boton, equiv. to boter to BUTT 3 + -on n. suffix ]