Buffet (b&oobreve_;ffā), 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.
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Not when a gilt buffet's reflected pride
Turns you from sound philosophy aside. Pope.
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2. A counter for food or refreshments.
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3. Hence: A restaurant containing such a counter, as at a railroad station, or place of public gathering.
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4. A meal set out on a buffet[2], arranged so that guests may serve themselves and choose those items that they desire; as, a buffet dinner. Diners usually take a plate provided and move in a line past the items on the buffet[2], placing those items they desire on the plate, to be eaten at some convenient place.
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Buffet, 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.
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They spit in his face and buffeted him. Matt. xxvi. 67.
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2. To affect as with blows; to strike repeatedly; to strive with or contend against; as, to buffet the billows.
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The sudden hurricane in thunder roars,
Buffets the bark, and whirls it from the shores. Broome.
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You are lucky fellows who can live in a dreamland of your own, instead of being buffeted about the world. W. Black.
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3. [Cf. Buffer.] To deaden the sound of (bells) by muffling the clapper.
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