buf|fet

buf|fet¹ «BUHF iht», noun, verb, -fet|ed, -fet|ing.

–n.

1. a blow of the hand or fist.

2. a knock, stroke, or hurt: »

The lifeguard withstood the buffets of the waves. ... the vile blows and buffets of the world (Shakespeare).

–v.t.

1. to strike with the hand or fist.

2. to knock about, strike, or hurt: »

The waves buffeted him. Figurative. Fate buffeted him about from job to job.

3. to fight or struggle against: »

The boat buffeted the heavy waves in the storm.

–v.i.

1. to deal blows; struggle; contend.

2. to move or advance with a series of efforts or blows.

╂[< Old French buffet (diminutive) < buffe; see etym. under buff³ blow (Cf. ↑buff)]

–buf´fet|er, noun.

buf|fet² «bu FAY, buh-; especially British BUHF iht», noun.

1. a) a piece of dining-room furniture with a flat top for dishes and with shelves or drawers for holding silver and table linen; sideboard. b) a cupboard in a recess, for china and glasses.

2. a meal set out in serving dishes on tables or buffets, from which guests serve themselves: »

a buffet lunch or supper, a buffet party.

3. a counter where food and drinks are served.

4. a restaurant or bar with such a counter: »

The audience munched ham sandwiches and drank beer and cognac in the buffet before the show and during the intermission (New Yorker).

╂[< French buffet piece of furniture; origin uncertain]