buffet1

[buhf-it] /ˈbʌf ɪt/
noun
1.
a blow, as with the hand or fist.
2.
a violent shock or concussion.
verb (used with object), buffeted, buffeting.
3.
to strike, as with the hand or fist.
4.
to strike against or push repeatedly:
The wind buffeted the house.
5.
to contend against; battle.
verb (used without object), buffeted, buffeting.
6.
to struggle with blows of hand or fist.
7.
to force one's way by a fight, struggle, etc.
Origin
1175-1225; Middle English < Old French buffe a blow + -et -et
Related forms
buffeter, noun
unbuffeted, adjective
Synonyms
3. slap, cuff, box, hit, sock, wallop.

buffet2

[buh-fey, boo- or, esp. for adj., boo-fey; British buhf-it] /bəˈfeɪ, bʊ- or, esp. for adj., ˈbu feɪ; British ˈbʌf ɪt/
noun
1.
a sideboard or cabinet for holding china, table linen, etc.
2.
a meal laid out on a table or sideboard so that guests may serve themselves.
3.
a counter, bar, or the like, for lunch or refreshments.
4.
a restaurant containing such a counter or bar.
adjective
5.
consisting of food, refreshments, etc., laid out on tables or buffets from which guests or customers serve themselves:
a buffet supper; buffet service.
Origin
1710-20; < French, Old French, of obscure origin
Examples from the web for buffet
  • It's a salad for the buffet table when drinks go round.
  • Sittings here tend to be a bit pricier than the standard buffet meal, with the exception of dinner.
  • Unlike school cafeteria fare, this inviting buffet has something for everyone.
  • Wal-Mart will set up a tent and serve buffet-style food, .
  • The restaurant puts on a super buffet for lunch and dinner.
  • The center section of the buffet contained drawers.
  • Finally we reach a buffet in the dining room.
  • If you choose the buffet only, the price is $26.
  • This buffet menu serves eight generously.
  • Boys are to be sent out into the world to buffet with its temptations, to mingle with bad and good, to govern and direct.
British Dictionary definitions for buffet

buffet1

noun
1.
(ˈbʊfeɪ). a counter where light refreshments are served
2.
(ˈbʊfeɪ)
  1. a meal at which guests help themselves from a number of dishes and often eat standing up
  2. (as modifier): a buffet lunch
3.
(ˈbʌfɪt; ˈbʊfeɪ). a piece of furniture used from medieval times to the 18th century for displaying plates, etc and typically comprising one or more cupboards and some open shelves
4.
(Scot & Northern English, dialect) (ˈbʌfɪ). a kind of low stool, pouffe, or hassock
Word Origin
C18: from French, of unknown origin

buffet2

/ˈbʌfɪt/
verb -fets, -feting, -feted
1.
(transitive) to knock against or about; batter: the wind buffeted the boat
2.
(transitive) to hit, esp with the fist; cuff
3.
to force (one's way), as through a crowd
4.
(intransitive) to struggle; battle
noun
5.
a blow, esp with a fist or hand
6.
aerodynamic excitation of an aircraft structure by separated flows
Derived Forms
buffeter, noun
Word Origin
C13: from Old French buffeter, from buffet a light blow, from buffe, of imitative origin

Buffet

/French byfɛ/
noun
1.
Bernard (bɛrnar). 1928–99, French painter and engraver. His works are characterized by sombre tones and thin angular forms
Word Origin and History for buffet
v.

c.1200, "to strike with the fist or hand; cuff, box, slap; from Old French bufeter "to strike, slap, punch," from bufet (see buffet (n.2)). Related: Buffeted; buffeting.

n.

"table," 1718, from French bufet "bench, stool, sideboard," 12c., of uncertain origin. Sense in English extended 1888 to "meal served from a buffet."

c.1200, "blow struck with a fist or weapon," from Old French bufet "slap, punch," diminutive of bufe "a blow, slap, punch; puff of wind," figuratively "cunning trick," probably echoic of the sound of something soft being hit.