Definitions for buffer

• Definition
• Anagrams (47)

buffer buff·er

Spelling: [buhf-er]

IPA: /ˈbʌf ər/

Buffer is a 6 letter English word. It's valid Scrabble word worth 14 points. It's valid Words with friends word worth 16 points.

You can make 47 anagrams from letters in buffer (beffru).

Definitions for buffer

noun

1. an apparatus at the end of a railroad car, railroad track, etc., for absorbing shock during coupling, collisions, etc.
2. any device, material, or apparatus used as a shield, cushion, or bumper, especially on machinery.
3. any intermediate or intervening shield or device reducing the danger of interaction between two machines, chemicals, electronic components, etc.
4. a person or thing that shields and protects against annoyance, harm, hostile forces, etc., or that lessens the impact of a shock or reversal.
5. any reserve moneys, negotiable securities, legal procedures, etc., that protect a person, organization, or country against financial ruin.
6. buffer state.
7. Ecology. an animal population that becomes the prey of a predator that usually feeds on a different species.
8. Computers. a storage device for temporarily holding data until the computer is ready to receive or process the data, as when a receiving unit has an operating speed lower than that of the unit feeding data to it.
9. Electronics. a circuit with a single output activated by one or more of several inputs.
10. Chemistry. any substance or mixture of compounds that, added to a solution, is capable of neutralizing both acids and bases without appreciably changing the original acidity or alkalinity of the solution. Also called buffer solution. a solution containing such a substance.
11. a device for polishing or buffing, as a buff stick or buff wheel.
12. a worker who uses such a device.
13. a foolish or incompetent person.
14. a fellow; man.
15. a chief boatswain's mate in the British navy.
16. a soft, thick, light-yellow leather with a napped surface, originally made from buffalo skin but later also from other skins, used for making belts, pouches, etc.
17. a brownish-yellow color; tan.
18. a buff stick or buff wheel.
19. a devotee or well-informed student of some activity or subject:
20. Informal. the bare skin:
21. Also called buffcoat. a thick, short coat of buffalo leather, worn especially by English soldiers and American colonists in the 17th century.
22. Informal. a buffalo.

adjective

1. having the color of buff.
2. made of buff leather.
3. Slang. physically attractive; muscular.

verb (used with object)

1. Chemistry. to treat with a buffer.
2. to cushion, shield, or protect.
3. to lessen the adverse effect of; ease:
4. to clean or polish (metal) or give a grainless finish of high luster to (plated surfaces) with or as if with a buff stick or buff wheel.
5. to polish or shine, especially with a buffer:
6. to dye or stain in a buff color.

Origin of buffer

First recorded in 1825-35; buff² + -er¹

Examples for buffer

He was sure of his ally, and very glad to use him as a buffer to receive the first shock.

The buffer zone would protect civilians, Syrian rebels, and Kurds against ISIS assaults.

Levin is calling for a Turkish buffer zone inside Syria, protected by a U.S.-led no fly zone.

And the Americans are currently ruling out boots on the ground in Syria or buffer zones.

In some ways it was a comfort to have this buffer between her and Dick.

The Y Bar outfit has been a sort of buffer between the two factions.

Pro-choice advocates, meanwhile, argue that the buffer zones are necessary for public safety.

A new era began; the buffer was gone; my mother and Victoria were face and face.

It was a large, quiet hand—like himself, somewhat suggestive of a buffer.

The Kurds entered a buffer zone on the Turkish border and in the melee at least four protestor were wounded.