Bŭt'ton1, n.
(bŭt'n), n. [Fr. bouton, button, bud, Pr. & Sp. boton, It. bottone, from Fr. bout, end, extremity, Prov. It. butt, bud. Cf. W. bot, any round thing, bottom, boss, button.]
- A knob; a small ball; a small, round mass.
- A catch, of various forms and materials, used to fasten together the different parts of dress, by being attached to one part, and passing through a slit or loop, called a button-hole, in the other;—used also for ornament.
- A bud; a germ of a plant. Shak.
- A flat and elongated piece of wood or metal turning on a nail or screw, to fasten doors and the like.
- (Assaying.) A round mass of metal remaining in the cupel after fusion.
To hold by the button, to detain in conversation to weariness; to bore; also, to be on terms of familiarity or intimacy with.