Buoy Definition
bo͝oē, boi
buoyed, buoys
noun
buoys
A floating object anchored in a lake, river, etc. to mark a channel, warn of a hazard, etc., variously shaped and colored, and often equipped with a bell or light.
Webster's New World
A similar but larger and heavier object, usually with a ring on top, to which a ship can be moored.
Webster's New World
Webster's New World
A life-buoy.
Wiktionary
verb
buoyed, buoys
To keep afloat.
Webster's New World
To maintain at a high level; support.
American Heritage
To mark or provide with a buoy.
Webster's New World
To hearten or inspire; uplift.
American Heritage
To lift up or keep up in spirits; encourage.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
Origin of Buoy
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From Middle English buoy, boye (“a float”), from Middle Dutch boeye (“a float, signal”) or Middle French bouee, boue ("a float, marker, buoy"; < Middle Dutch), from Old Dutch *bōkan, *boukan (“signal, beacon”), from Old Frankish *boukan, *baukan (“signal, beacon”), from Proto-Germanic *baukną (“sign, signal, portent”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰā- (“to glow, light, shine”). More at beacon.
From Wiktionary
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Middle English boie from Old French boue probably of Germanic origin bhā-1 in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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