butt

• POS: Noun, Verb (usu participle), Verb (intransitive)

CIDE DICTIONARY

butt, n. [F. but butt, aim (cf. butte knoll), or bout, OF. bot, end, extremity, fr. boter, buter, to push, butt, strike, F. bouter; of German origin; cf. OHG. bōzan, akin to E. beat. See Beat, v. t.].

•  A limit; a bound; a goal; the extreme bound; the end.  [1913 Webster]

  " As applied to land, the word is nearly synonymous with mete, and signifies properly the end line or boundary; the abuttal."  [1913 Webster]

  "Here is my journey's end, here my butt
  And very sea mark of my utmost sail."  [1913 Webster]
•  The larger or thicker end of anything; the blunt end, in distinction from the sharp end; as, the butt of a rifle. Formerly also spelled but. See 2nd but, n. sense 2.  [1913 Webster]
•  A mark to be shot at; a target.  Sir W. Scott.  [1913 Webster]

  "The groom his fellow groom at butts defies,
  And bends his bow, and levels with his eyes."  [1913 Webster]
•  A person at whom ridicule, jest, or contempt is directed; as, the butt of the company.  [1913 Webster]

  "I played a sentence or two at my butt, which I thought very smart."  [1913 Webster]
•  A push, thrust, or sudden blow, given by the head of an animal; as, the butt of a ram.  [1913 Webster]
•  A thrust in fencing.  [1913 Webster]

  "To prove who gave the fairer butt,
  John shows the chalk on Robert's coat."  [1913 Webster]
•  A piece of land left unplowed at the end of a field.  [1913 Webster]

  "The hay was growing upon headlands and butts in cornfields."  [1913 Webster]
•  A joint where the ends of two objects come squarely together without scarfing or chamfering; -- also called butt joint.  [1913 Webster]
•  The joint where two planks in a strake meet.  [1913 Webster]
•  A kind of hinge used in hanging doors, etc.; -- so named because fastened on the edge of the door, which butts against the casing, instead of on its face, like the strap hinge; also called butt hinge.  [1913 Webster]
•  The thickest and stoutest part of tanned oxhides, used for soles of boots, harness, trunks.  [1913 Webster]
•  The hut or shelter of the person who attends to the targets in rifle practice.  [1913 Webster]
•  The buttocks; as, get up off your butt and get to work; -- used as a euphemism, less objectionable than ass.  [PJC]

  "Amen; and make me die a good old man!
  That's the butt end of a mother's blessing."  [1913 Webster]

Butt chain (Saddlery), a short chain attached to the end of a tug. -- Butt end. The thicker end of anything. See But end, under 2d But.

A butt's length, the ordinary distance from the place of shooting to the butt, or mark. -- Butts and bounds (Conveyancing), abuttals and boundaries. In lands of the ordinary rectangular shape, butts are the lines at the ends (F. bouts), and bounds are those on the sides, or sidings, as they were formerly termed. Burrill. -- Bead and butt. See under Bead. -- Butt and butt, joining end to end without overlapping, as planks. -- Butt weld (Mech.), a butt joint, made by welding together the flat ends, or edges, of a piece of iron or steel, or of separate pieces, without having them overlap. See Weld. -- Full butt, headfirst with full force. [Colloq.] “The corporal . . . ran full butt at the lieutenant.” Marryat.

butt, v. i. [OE. butten, OF. boter to push, F. bouter. See Butt an end, and cf. Boutade.].

•  To join at the butt, end, or outward extremity; to terminate; to be bounded; to abut.  [1913 Webster]

  "And Barnsdale there doth butt on Don's well-watered ground."  [1913 Webster]
•  To thrust the head forward; to strike by thrusting the head forward, as an ox or a ram. [See Butt, n.]  [1913 Webster]

  "A snow-white steer before thine altar led,
  Butts with his threatening brows."  [1913 Webster]

butt, v. t. 

 To strike by thrusting the head against; to strike with the head.  [1913 Webster]
"Two harmless lambs are butting one the other."  [1913 Webster]

butt, n. [F. botte, boute, LL. butta. Cf. Bottle a hollow vessel.].

 A large cask or vessel for wine or beer. It contains two hogsheads.  [1913 Webster]
" A wine butt contains 126 wine gallons (= 105 imperial gallons, nearly); a beer butt 108 ale gallons (= about 110 imperial gallons)."  [1913 Webster]

butt, n. 

 The common English flounder.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

butt, v. & n.
--v.
1 tr. & intr. push with the head or horns.
2 a intr. (usu. foll. by against, upon) come with one end flat against, meet end to end with, abut. b tr. (usu. foll. by against) place (timber etc.) with the end flat against a wall etc.
--n.
1 a push with the head.
2 a join of two edges.

Idiom

butt in interrupt, meddle.

butt, n.
1 (often foll. by of) an object (of ridicule etc.) (the butt of his jokes; made him their butt).
2 a a mound behind a target. b (in pl.) a shooting-range. c a target.
3 a grouse-shooter's stand screened by low turf or a stone wall.

butt, n.
1 (also butt-end) the thicker end, esp. of a tool or a weapon (gun butt).
2 a the stub of a cigar or a cigarette. b (also butt-end) a remnant (the butt of the evening).
3 esp. US sl. the buttocks.
4 (also butt-end) the square end of a plank meeting a similar end.
5 the trunk of a tree, esp. the part just above the ground.

Idiom

butt weld a weld in which the pieces are joined end to end.

butt, n. a cask, esp. as a measure of wine or ale.

butt, n. a flat-fish (e.g. a sole, plaice, or turbot).

Etymology

MLG, MDu. but flat-fish

THESAURUS

butt

Thule, Ultima Thule, abut, abut on, adjoin, advance, afterglow, afterimage, aim, ankle, articulate, articulation, assault, backside, bacon, balance, barrel, batten, batten down, be contiguous, be in contact, bear, bear upon, bearing, behind, bit, bitter end, bolt, boost, border, border on, bottom, bottom dollar, boundary, bowl, breech, buck, buckle, bull, bulldoze, bump, bump against, bunt, butt against, butt end, buttocks, button, by-end, by-purpose, byword, byword of reproach, candle ends, carton of cigarettes, cervix, chaff, chip, chitterlings, chump, chunk, cig, cigarette, cigarette butt, cigarette case, clasp, cleat, clinch, clip, clipping, closure, cochon de lait, collop, communicate, conjoin, connect, connecting link, connecting rod, connection, coupling, cracklings, cram, croup, crowd, crumb, crupper, cut, cutting, debris, deck of cigarettes, derision, derriere, destination, detritus, dig, dollop, dovetail, drive, driving force, dupe, elbow, embrace, end, end in view, extreme, extremity, fag, fag end, fair game, fall guy, fanny, farthest bound, fat back, figure of fun, filings, final cause, flitch, fool, force, forward, fossil, fragment, game, gammon, gazingstock, gliding joint, goad, goal, goat, gob, gobbet, gudgeon, gull, ham, ham steak, haslet, hasp, haunches, head, headcheese, hind end, hinge, hinged joint, hip, hitch, hogshead, holdover, hook, hunk, hurtle, husks, hustle, impel, impulsion, interface, interfere, interrupt, intrude, jab, jam, jambon, jambonneau, jest, jestingstock, jog, joggle, join, joining, joint, joke, jolt, jostle, jumping-off place, juncture, keg, kibitz, knee, knuckle, lard, latch, laughingstock, leavings, leftovers, lie by, limit, line, link, lock, lump, march, mark, meddle, meet, miter, mock, mockery, modicum, moiety, monkey, morsel, mortise, motive power, move, nail, nates, neck, neighbor, nib, nudge, object, object in mind, objective, odds and ends, offscourings, orts, paring, parings, particle, patsy, pedal, peg, picnic ham, piece, pieds de cochon, pig, pigeon, pile drive, pilgarlic, pin, pipe, pivot, pivot joint, point, poke, pole, pork, porkpie, posterior, prat, press, pressure, prey, prod, propel, propelling, propelment, propulsion, pulsion, punch, pursuit, push, pushing, quarry, quintain, rabbet, rags, ram, ram down, rasher, rattle, rear, rear end, reason for being, refuse, relics, remainder, remains, remnant, residue, residuum, rest, rivet, roach, roll, row, rubbish, ruins, rump, run, run against, salt pork, sawdust, scarf, scoop, scourings, scrap, scraps, screw, seam, sew, shadow, shake, shard, shaving, shavings, shiver, shoulder, shove, shoving, shred, shunt, side of bacon, sitting duck, skewer, slice, sliver, small ham, smithereen, smoke, snack, snap, snatch, snip, snipe, snippet, sowbelly, splinter, sport, stand by, staple, stick, stitch, stock, straw, stress, stub, stubble, stump, sucker, suckling pig, survival, suture, sweep, sweep along, sweepings, symphysis, tack, tag, tag end, tail, tail end, tamp, target, tatter, teleology, thrust, tie rod, tip, toggle, toggle joint, touch, toy, trace, treadle, troll, trotters, trundle, tun, ultimate aim, union, verge, verge upon, vestige, victim, waste, wedge, weld, wrist, zipper

ROGET THESAURUS

butt

Intention

N intent, intention, intentionality, purpose, quo animo, project, undertaking, predetermination, design, ambition, contemplation, mind, animus, view, purview, proposal, study, look out, final cause, raison d'etre, cui bono, object, aim, end, the be all and the end all, drift, tendency, destination, mark, point, butt, goal, target, bull's-eye, quintain, prey, quarry, game, decision, determination, resolve, fixed set purpose, settled purpose, ultimatum, resolution, wish, arriere pensee, motive, teleology, intended, intentional, advised, express, determinate, prepense, bound for, intending, minded, bent upon, at stake, on the anvil, on the tapis, in view, in prospect, in the breast of, in petto, teleological, intentionally, advisedly, wittingly, knowingly, designedly, purposely, on purpose, by design, studiously, pointedly, with intent, deliberately, with one's eyes open, in cold blood, for, with a view, with an eye to, in order to, in order that, to the end that, with the intent that, for the purpose of, with the view of, in contemplation of, on account of, in pursuance of, pursuant to, quo animo, to all intents and purposes, The road to hell is paved with good intentions, sublimi feriam sidera vertice.

Attack

VB attack, assault, assail, invade, set upon, fall upon, charge, impugn, break a lance with, enter the lists, assume the offensive, take the offensive, be the aggressor, become the aggressor, strike the first blow, draw first blood, throw the first stone at, lift a hand against, draw the sword against, take up the cudgels, advance against, march against, march upon, harry, come on, show fight, strike at, poke at, thrust at, aim a blow at, deal a blow at, give one a blow, fetch one a blow, fetch one a kick, give one a kick, have a cut at, have a shot at, take a cut at, take a shot at, have a fling at, have a shy at, be down upon, pounce upon, fall foul of, pitch into, launch out against, bait, slap on the face, make a thrust at, make a pass at, make a set at, make a dead set at, bear down upon, close with, come to close quarters, bring to bay, ride full tilt against, attack tooth and nail, go at hammer and tongs, let fly at, dash at, run a tilt at, rush at, tilt at, run at, fly at, hawk at, have at, let out at, make a dash, make a rush at, strike home, drive one hard, press one hard, be hard upon, run down, strike at the root of, lay about one, run amuck, aim at, draw a bead on, fire upon, fire at, fire a shot at, shoot at, pop at, level at, let off a gun at, open fire, pepper, bombard, shell, pour a broadside into, fire a volley, fire red-hot shot, spring a mine, throw a stone, throw stones at, stone, lapidate, pelt, hurl at, hurl against, hurl at the head of, rock beset, besiege, beleaguer, lay siege to, invest, open the trenches, plant a battery, sap, mine, storm, board, scale the walls, cut and thrust, bayonet, butt, kick, strike, whip, assail, impugn, malign (detract), bomb, rocket, blast.

Laughingstock

N laughingstock, jestingstock, gazingstock, butt, game, fair game, April fool, original, oddity, queer fish, odd fish, quiz, square toes, old monkey, old fogey, fogey monkey, fogy monkey, buffoon, pantomimist, schlemiel, jest, dum vitant stulti vitia in contraria currunt.

Receptacle

N receptacle, inclosure, recipient, receiver, reservatory, compartment, cell, cellule, follicle, hole, corner, niche, recess, nook, crypt, stall, pigeonhole, cove, oriel, cave, capsule, vesicle, cyst, pod, calyx, cancelli, utricle, bladder, pericarp, udder, stomach, paunch, venter, ventricle, crop, craw, maw, gizzard, breadbasket, mouth, pocket, pouch, fob, sheath, scabbard, socket, bag, sac, sack, saccule, wallet, cardcase, scrip, poke, knit, knapsack, haversack, sachel, satchel, reticule, budget, net, ditty bag, ditty box, housewife, hussif, saddlebags, portfolio, quiver, chest, box, coffer, caddy, case, casket, pyx, pix, caisson, desk, bureau, reliquary, trunk, portmanteau, band-box, valise, grip, grip sack, skippet, vasculum, boot, imperial, vache, cage, manger, rack, vessel, vase, bushel, barrel, canister, jar, pottle, basket, pannier, buck-basket, hopper, maund, creel, cran, crate, cradle, bassinet, wisket, whisket, jardiniere, corbeille, hamper, dosser, dorser, tray, hod, scuttle, utensil, brazier, cuspidor, spittoon, cistern, vat, caldron, barrel, cask, drum, puncheon, keg, rundlet, tun, butt, cag, firkin, kilderkin, carboy, amphora, bottle, jar, decanter, ewer, cruse, caraffe, crock, kit, canteen, flagon, demijohn, flask, flasket, stoup, noggin, vial, phial, cruet, caster, urn, epergne, salver, patella, tazza, patera, pig gin, big gin, tyg, nipperkin, pocket pistol, tub, bucket, pail, skeel, pot, tankard, jug, pitcher, mug, pipkin, galipot, gallipot, matrass, receiver, retort, alembic, bolthead, capsule, can, kettle, bowl, basin, jorum, punch bowl, cup, goblet, chalice, tumbler, glass, rummer, horn, saucepan, skillet, posnet, tureen, beaker, flask, Erlenmeyer flask, Florence flask, round-bottom flask, graduated cylinder, test tube, culture tube, pipette, Pasteur pipette, disposable pipette, syringe, vial, carboy, vacuum flask, Petri dish, microtiter tray, centrifuge tube, bail, beaker, billy, canakin, catch basin, catch drain, chatti, lota, mussuk, schooner, spider, terrine, toby, urceus, plate, platter, dish, trencher, calabash, porringer, potager, saucer, pan, crucible, glassware, tableware, vitrics, compote, gravy boat, creamer, sugar bowl, butter dish, mug, pitcher, punch bowl, chafing dish, shovel, trowel, spoon, spatula, ladle, dipper, tablespoon, watch glass, thimble, closet, commode, cupboard, cellaret, chiffonniere, locker, bin, bunker, buffet, press, clothespress, safe, sideboard, drawer, chest of drawers, chest on chest, highboy, lowboy, till, scrutoire, secretary, secretaire, davenport, bookcase, cabinet, canterbury, escritoire, etagere, vargueno, vitrine, chamber, apartment, room, cabin, office, court, hall, atrium, suite of rooms, apartment, flat, story, saloon, salon, parlor, by-room, cubicle, presence chamber, sitting room, best room, keeping room, drawing room, reception room, state room, gallery, cabinet, closet, pew, box, boudoir, adytum, sanctum, bedroom, dormitory, refectory, dining room, salle-a-manger, nursery, schoolroom, library, study, studio, billiard room, smoking room, den, stateroom, tablinum, tenement, bath room, bathroom, toilet, lavatory, powder room, john, jakes, necessary, loo, men's room, ladies' room, rest room, (uncleanness), 653 attic, loft, garret, cockloft, clerestory, cellar, vault, hold, cockpit, cubbyhole, cook house, entre-sol, mezzanine floor, ground floor, rez-de-chaussee, basement, kitchen, pantry, bawarchi-khana, scullery, offices, storeroom, lumber room, dairy, laundry, coach house, garage, hangar, outhouse, penthouse, lean-to, portico, porch, stoop, stope, veranda, patio, lanai, terrace, deck, lobby, court, courtyard, hall, vestibule, corridor, passage, breezeway, ante room, ante chamber, lounge, piazza, veranda, conservatory, greenhouse, bower, arbor, summerhouse, alcove, grotto, hermitage, lodging, bed, carriage, capsular, saccular, sacculated, recipient, ventricular, cystic, vascular, vesicular, cellular, camerated, locular, multilocular, polygastric, marsupial, siliquose, siliquous.

Impulse

VB flash on the mind, say what comes uppermost, improvise, extemporize, give an impetus, impel, push, start, give a start to, set going, drive, urge, boom, thrust, prod, foin, cant, elbow, shoulder, jostle, justle, hustle, hurtle, shove, jog, jolt, encounter, run against, bump against, butt against, knock one's head against, run one's head against, impinge, boost, bunt, carom, clip y, fan, fan out, jab, plug, strike, knock, hit, tap, rap, slap, flap, dab, pat, thump, beat, blow, bang, slam, dash, punch, thwack, whack, hit hard, strike hard, swap, batter, dowse, baste, pelt, patter, buffet, belabor, fetch one a blow, poke at, pink, lunge, yerk, kick, calcitrate, butt, strike at, whip, come into a collision, enter into collision, collide, sideswipe, foul, fall foul of, run foul of, telescope, throw.