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button
- Main Entry:
- 1but·ton
- Pronunciation:
-
\ˈbə-tən\
- Function:
- noun
- Usage:
- often attributive
- Etymology:
- Middle English boton, from Anglo-French butun rose hip, stud, from buter to thrust — more at butt
- Date:
- 14th century
1 a: a small knob or disk secured to an article (as of clothing) and used as a fastener by passing it through a buttonhole or loop b: a usually circular metal or plastic badge bearing a stamped design or printed slogan <campaign button>2: something that resembles a button: as a: any of various parts or growths of a plant or of an animal: as (1): bud (2): an immature whole mushroom; especially : button mushroom (3): the terminal segment of a rattlesnake's rattle b: a small globule of metal remaining after fusion (as in assaying) c: a guard on the tip of a fencing foil 3 a: push button b: something (as a push button) that has the real or symbolic capability of initiating a catastrophe (as a nuclear attack) <has his finger on the button> c: a hidden sensitivity that can be manipulated to produce a desired response <knows how to push my buttons> d: a usually box-shaped computer icon that initiates a specific software function4: the point of the chin especially as a target for a knockout blow
— but·ton·less \-ləs\ adjective — on the button : exactly <arrived at noon on the button>; also : exactly on target : on the nose <the estimate was right on the button>
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