1buff1 (bʌf
)
Definitions
noun
- a soft thick flexible undyed leather made chiefly from the skins of buffalo, oxen, and elk
- ((as modifier) ⇒
a buff coat
- a dull yellow or yellowish-brown colour
- ((as adjective) ⇒
buff paint
- Also called
buffer - a cloth or pad of material used for polishing an object
- a flexible disc or wheel impregnated with a fine abrasive for polishing metals, etc, with a power tool
- informal one's bare skin (esp in the phrase in the buff)
verb
- to clean or polish (a metal, floor, shoes, etc) with a buff
- to remove the grain surface of (a leather)
adjective
- US informal in a condition of high physical fitness and body tone, maintained by regular exercise
Word Origin
C16: from Old French buffle , from Old Italian bufalo , from Late Latin būfalusbuffalo2buff2 (bʌf)
Definitions
verb
- (tr) to deaden the force of
noun
- archaic a blow or buffet (now only in the phrase blind man's buff)
Word Origin
C15: back formation from buffet²Synonyms
View thesaurus entry=
expert,
fan,
addict,
enthusiast,
freak,
admirer,
whizz,
devotee,
connoisseur,
boffin,
fiend,
grandmaster,
hotshot,
aficionado,
wonk,
maven,
fundi,
3buff3 (bʌf)
Definitions
noun
- informal an expert on or devotee of a given subject ⇒
a cheese buff
Word Origin
C20: originally US: an enthusiastic fire watcher, from the buff-coloured uniforms worn by volunteer firemen in New York CityUsage examples
'Seen her around,' said Abel, reaching for a buff envelope on the counter.
, AMAGANSETT (2004)"Sometimes it seems he makes films for the sole purpose of winning awards," says a film buff , Suresh Kumar.
India Today (1998)Read on Stephen Cole Special to You're a film lover as opposed to movie buff.
Globe and Mail (2003)Seeing Dean Cain, aka Superman, in the buff is worth the ticket price alone.
Sun, News of the World (2001)If the Customs spot you furtively inserting them in your mouth they will probably search you for snow and strip you to the buff.
, ELSPETH HUXLEY: A BIOGRAPHY (2002)