Buf*fet" (?), n. [F. buffet, LL. bufetum; of uncertain origin; perh. fr. the same source as E. buffet a blow, the root meaning to puff, hence (cf. puffed up) the idea of ostentation or display.]
1.
A cupboard or set of shelves, either movable or fixed at one side of a room, for the display of plate, china, etc., a sideboard.
Not when a gilt buffet's reflected pride
Turns you from sound philosophy aside.
Pope.
2.
A counter for refreshments; a restaurant at a railroad station, or place of public gathering.
© Webster 1913.
Buf"fet (?), n. [OE. buffet, boffet, OF. buffet a slap in the face, a pair of bellows, fr. buffe blow, cf. F. bouffer to blow, puff; prob. akin to E. puff. For the meaning slap, blow, cf. F. soufflet a slap, souffler to blow. See Puff, v. i., and cf. Buffet sidebroad, Buffoon]
1.
A blow with the hand; a slap on the face; a cuff.
When on his cheek a buffet fell.
Sir W. Scott.
2.
A blow from any source, or that which affects like a blow, as the violence of winds or waves; a stroke; an adverse action; an affliction; a trial; adversity.
Those planks of tough and hardy oak that used for yeas to brave the buffets of the Bay of Biscay.
Burke.
Fortune's buffets and rewards.
Shak.
3.
A small stool; a stool for a buffet or counter.
Go fetch us a light buffet.
Townely Myst.
© Webster 1913.
Buf"fet, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Buffeted; p. pr. & vb. n. Buffeting.] [OE. buffeten, OF. buffeter. See the preceding noun.]
1.
To strike with the hand or fist; to box; to beat; to cuff; to slap.
They spit in his face and buffeted him.
Matt. xxvi. 67.
2.
To affect as with blows; to strike repeatedly; to strive with or contend against; as, to buffet the billows.
The sudden hurricane in thunder roars,
Buffets the bark, and whirls it from the shores.
Broome.
You are lucky fellows who can live in a dreamland of your own, instead of being buffeted about the world.
W. Black.
3. [Cf. Buffer.]
To deaden the sound of (bells) by muffling the clapper.
© Webster 1913.
Buf"fet, v. i.
1.
To exercise or play at boxing; to strike; to smite; to strive; to contend.
If I might buffet for my love, or bound my horse for her favors, I could lay on like a butcher.
Shak.
2.
To make one's way by blows or struggling.
Strove to buffet to land in vain.
Tennyson.
© Webster 1913.