buffer

play

noun buff·er \ ˈbə-fər \

Definition of buffer

slang, British

:fellow, man; especially :an old man

Origin and Etymology of buffer

origin unknown

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1749

See Words from the same year

buffer

noun, often attributive

Definition of buffer

1 :any of various devices or pieces of material for reducing shock or damage due to contact

2 :a means or device used as a cushion against the shock of fluctuations in business or financial activity

3 :something that serves as a protective barrier: such as

a :buffer state

b :a person who shields another especially from annoying routine matters

c :mediator 1

4 :a substance capable in solution of neutralizing both acids and bases and thereby maintaining the original acidity or basicity of the solution; also :a solution containing such a substance

5 :a temporary storage unit (as in a computer); especially :one that accepts information at one rate and delivers it at another

—

buffered

play \-fərd\ adjective

Origin and Etymology of buffer

buff, verb, to react like a soft body when struck

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1835

See Words from the same year

buffer

verb

Definition of buffer

buffered; buffering play \-f(ə-)riŋ\

transitive verb

1 :to lessen the shock of :cushion

2 :to treat (something, such as an acid solution) with a buffer; also :to prepare (aspirin) with an antacid

3 :to collect (data) in a buffer

See buffer defined for English-language learners

Examples of buffer in a Sentence

The trees help buffer the house from the hot summer sun.
The wall buffers the noise of the traffic.

First Known Use of buffer

1845

buffer Synonyms

Synonyms

cushion, gentle, soften

Related Words

baffle, dampen, deaden, dull, obtund; moderate, modulate, temper; allay, alleviate, assuage, ease; lighten, mitigate, relieve

Near Antonyms

heighten, intensify, sharpen

Other Biochemistry Terms

bile, biodegradable, capsaicin, keratin, metabolism

buffer

noun

Definition of buffer

:one that buffs

First Known Use of buffer

1854

BUFFER Defined for English Language Learners

buffer

verb

Definition of buffer for English Language Learners

: to protect (something) from something
: to lessen the harmful effects of (something)
computers : to put (something, such as data) in a buffer

Medical Dictionary

buffer

play

noun buff·er \ ˈbəf-ər \

medical Definition of buffer

1 :a substance or mixture of substances (as bicarbonates and some proteins in biological fluids) that in solution tends to stabilize the hydrogen-ion concentration by neutralizing within limits both acids and bases

2 :buffer solution