Main Entry:

²button

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

but·toned; but·ton·ing \ˈbət-niŋ, ˈbə-t^ən-iŋ\

Date:

14th century

transitive verb1: to furnish or decorate with buttons2 a: to pass (a button) through a buttonhole or loop b: to close or fasten with buttons —often used with up<button up your overcoat>3 a: to close (the lips) to prevent speech <button your lip> b: to close or seal tightly —usually used with up<button up the house for winter>intransitive verb: to have buttons for fastening <this dress buttons at the back>

— but·ton·er \ˈbət-nər, ˈbə-t^ən-ər\ noun