fishes of the family Catostomidæ, of the Mississippi valley. The red-mouthed or brown the big-mouthed
or black and the small-mouthed are among the more important species used as food. — Buffalo fly,
or Buffalo gnat (Zoöl.), a small dipterous insect of the genus Simulium, allied to the black fly of the
North. It is often extremely abundant in the lower part of the Mississippi valley and does great injury
to domestic animals, often killing large numbers of cattle and horses. In Europe the Columbatz fly is a
species with similar habits. — Buffalo grass (Bot.), a species of short, sweet grass (Buchloë dactyloides),
from two to four inches high, covering the prairies on which the buffaloes, or bisons, feed. [U.S.] —
Buffalo nut (Bot.), the oily and drupelike fruit of an American shrub (Pyrularia oleifera); also, the shrub
itself; oilnut. — Buffalo robe, the skin of the bison of North America, prepared with the hair on; — much
used as a lap robe in sleighs.
Buffel duck
(Buf"fel duck) [See Buffalo.] (Zoöl.) A small duck (Charitonetta albeola); the spirit duck, or
butterball. The head of the male is covered with numerous elongated feathers, and thus appears large.
Called also bufflehead.
Buffer
(Buff"er) n. [Prop a striker. See Buffet a blow.]
1. (Mech.) (a) An elastic apparatus or fender, for deadening the jar caused by the collision of bodies; as,
a buffer at the end of a railroad car. (b) A pad or cushion forming the end of a fender, which receives
the blow; — sometimes called buffing apparatus.
2. One who polishes with a buff.
3. A wheel for buffing; a buff.
4. A good-humored, slow-witted fellow; — usually said of an elderly man. [Colloq.] Dickens.
Bufferhead
(Buff"er*head`) n. The head of a buffer, which recieves the concussion, in railroad carriages.
Buffet
(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.
Buffet
(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.
