butt
butt (but)
noun
- the thick end of anything, as of a whip handle, rifle stock, etc.
- the remaining end of anything; stub; stump; specif., the stub of a smoked cigarette or cigar
Etymology: ? infl. by Fr butte, mound < OFr buter
a mound of earth, bales of straw, etc. behind a target, for receiving fired rounds or shot arrows- a target
- a target range
- a hole in the ground used as a blind by hunters of fowl
- an object of ridicule or criticism
- Slang a cigarette
- Informal the buttocks
- Obsolete
- a limit
- a goal
- Tanning the part of a hide or pelt that covered the animal's backside
Etymology: < several bases, variously confused in E or Fr: ME but, butte, thick end, ? akin to ON būtr, block of wood, Du bot, stumpy, stocky, or ? < OFr bout, end < buter (see butt); ME but, target, boundary < MFr bout, aim, goal, < abuter, to aim < à, at (< L ad) + but, goal (< ?)
transitive verb, intransitive verb
butt (but)
transitive verb
- to strike or push with the head or horns; ram with the head
- to strike or bump against
- to abut on
- to make abut: (on, upon, or against)
Etymology: ME butten, to drive, thrust < OFr buter (< Frank *botan), to thrust against: for IE base see beat
intransitive verb
- to make a butting motion
- to move or drive headfirst
- to stick out; project
- to abut
noun
- a thrust with the head or horns
- a thrust in fencing
Etymology: ME; prob. < OFr buter, or < the v.
butt out!
butt (but)
noun
- a large barrel or cask, as for wine or beer
- a measure of liquid capacity equal to 126 gal or two hogsheads (108 imperial gal)
Etymology: ME butte < OFr botte < ML butta < LL buttis, cask
butt (but)
noun
Etymology: ME butte, but; prob. < MLowG butte (> Swed butta, Du bot, Ger butte) < adj. butte, lumpy: akin to butt
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