New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.
buttonhole — [but′ nhōl΄] n. a slit or loop through which a button can be fastened vt. buttonholed, buttonholing 1. to make buttonholes in 2. to make with a buttonhole stitch 3. to make (a person) listen to one, as if by grasping his or her coat by a… … English World dictionary
Buttonhole — But ton*hole , v. t. To hold at the button or buttonhole; to detain in conversation to weariness; to bore; as, he buttonholed me a quarter of an hour. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
buttonhole — ► NOUN 1) a slit made in a garment to receive a button for fastening. 2) Brit. a flower or spray worn in a lapel buttonhole. ► VERB informal ▪ accost and detain (someone) in conversation … English terms dictionary
Buttonhole — But ton*hole , n. The hole or loop in which a button is caught. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
buttonhole — (n.) 1560s, from BUTTON (Cf. button) + HOLE (Cf. hole). The verb meaning to detain (someone) in conversation against his will (1862) was earlier button hold (1834), from button holder (1806, in this sense). The image is of holding someone by the… … Etymology dictionary
Buttonhole — Buttonholes are holes in fabric that are paired with functional buttons (as opposed to decorative buttons) that serve as fasteners. Buttonholes may be either made by hand sewing or automated by a sewing machine. A buttonhole may be replaced by a… … Wikipedia
buttonhole — I UK [ˈbʌt(ə)nˌhəʊl] / US [ˈbʌt(ə)nˌhoʊl] noun [countable] Word forms buttonhole : singular buttonhole plural buttonholes 1) a small hole in a piece of clothing through which you push a button to fasten it 2) British a flower that you wear on… … English dictionary
buttonhole — buttonholer, n. /but n hohl /, n., v., buttonholed, buttonholing. n. 1. the hole, slit, or loop through which a button is passed and by which it is secured. 2. Chiefly Brit. a boutonniere. 3. Surg. a short, straight incision through the wall of a … Universalium
buttonhole — [[t]bʌ̱t(ə)nhoʊl[/t]] buttonholes, buttonholing, buttonholed 1) N COUNT A buttonhole is a hole that you push a button through in order to fasten a shirt, coat, or other piece of clothing. 2) N COUNT A buttonhole is a flower that you wear on your… … English dictionary
buttonhole — /ˈbʌtnhoʊl / (say butnhohl) noun 1. the hole, slit, or loop through which a button is passed. 2. a small flower or nosegay worn in the buttonhole in the lapel of a jacket. –verb (t) (buttonholed, buttonholing) 3. to sew with buttonhole stitch. 4 …
buttonhole — n. & v. n. 1 a slit made in a garment to receive a button for fastening. 2 a flower or spray worn in a lapel buttonhole. v.tr. 1 colloq. accost and detain (a reluctant listener). 2 make buttonholes in. Phrases and idioms: buttonhole stitch a… … Useful english dictionary
