English Dictionary
Definition of “buck”
1buck1 (bʌk
)
Definitions
noun
- the male of various animals including the goat, hare, kangaroo, rabbit, and reindeer
- ((as modifier) ⇒
a buck antelope
- South Africa an antelope or deer of either sex
- US informal a young man
- archaic a robust spirited young man
- archaic a dandy; fop
- the act of bucking
verb
- (intr) (of a horse or other animal) to jump vertically, with legs stiff and back arched
- (tr) (of a horse, etc) to throw (its rider) by bucking
- intr, often foll by against informal mainly US Canadian to resist or oppose obstinately ⇒
to buck against change
to buck change
- (tr; usually passive) informal to cheer or encourage ⇒
I was very bucked at passing the exam
- US Canadian informal (esp of a car) to move forward jerkily; jolt
- US Canadian to charge against (something) with the head down; butt
Alternative Forms
ˈbucker noun Word Origin
Old English bucca he-goat; related to Old Norse bukkr , Old High German bock , Old Irish bocc
2buck2 (bʌk)
Word Origin
C19: of obscure origin
3buck3 (bʌk)
Definitions
noun
- gymnastics a type of vaulting horse
- US Canadian a stand for timber during sawing Also called (in Britain and certain other countries) sawhorse
verb
- (tr) US Canadian to cut (a felled or fallen tree) into lengths
Word Origin
C19: short for sawbuck
4buck4 (bʌk)
Word Origin
C19: probably from buckhorn knife, placed before a player in poker to indicate that he was the next dealer
Buck (bʌk)
Definitions
noun
- Pearl S(ydenstricker). 1892–1973, US novelist, noted particularly for her novel of Chinese life (). 1892–1973, US novelist, noted particularly for her novel of Chinese life The Good Earth (1931): Nobel prize for literature 1938
Usage examples
The buck 's attempts to rise formed a depression under him into which the lake water had flowed.
McCorquodale, Robin, Dansville (1986)Capitalising on this are policemen out to make a fast buck.
India Today (1997)Of course, for every Phoenix, there's a Pittsburgh to buck the trend.
Globe and Mail (2003)What sport really needs is a high-profile hero, someone prepared publicly to buck the trend.
Glasgow Herald (2001)You advised me against it, giving me the courage to buck my very pushy oncologist who wanted me to take it.
Dr. John R. Lee, Dr. David Zava and Virginia Hopkins, WHAT YOUR DOCTOR MAY NOT TELL YOU ABOUT BREAST CANCER: How hormone balance may save your life
