Button

But·ton

Button

n.
  1. A knob; a small ball; a small, roundish mass.
  2. 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, called a buttonhole, in the other; -- used also for ornament.
  3. A bud; a germ of a plant.
  4. A piece of wood or metal, usually flat and elongated, turning on a nail or screw, to fasten something, as a door.
  5. A globule of metal remaining on an assay cupel or in a crucible, after fusion.

Phrases & Compounds
Button hook
a hook for catching a button and drawing it through a buttonhole, as in buttoning boots and gloves.
Button shell
a small, univalve marine shell of the genus Rotella.
Button snakeroot
The American composite genus Liatris, having rounded buttonlike heads of flowers.
Button tree
a genus of trees (Conocarpus), furnishing durable timber, mostly natives of the West Indies.
To hold by the button
to detain in conversation to weariness; to bore; to buttonhole.

Button

v. t.

imp. & p. p. Buttoned; p. pr. & vb. n. Buttoning

  1. To fasten with a button or buttons; to inclose or make secure with buttons; -- often followed by up.
    He was a tall, fat, long-bodied man, buttoned up to the throat in a tight green coat.
  2. To dress or clothe. [Obs.]

Button

v. i.
  1. To be fastened by a button or buttons; as, the coat will not button.