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It is not only important, but, in a degree necessary, that the people of this country, should have an American Dictionary of the English language; for, although the body of the language is the same as in England, and it is desirable to perpetuate that sameness, yet some differences must exist. Language is the expression of ideas; and if the people of one country cannot preserve an identity of ideas, they cannot retain an identity of language. |
BUT'TON, n. but'n.
BUT'TON, v.t. but'n. To fasten with a button, or buttons; to inclose, or make secure with buttons; often followed with up, as to button up a waistcoat.
A knob; a small ball; a small, roundish mass.
A catch, of various forms and materials, used to
fasten together the different parts of dress, by being attached to one
part, and passing through a slit, called a buttonhole, in the other;
-- used also for ornament.
A bud; a germ of a plant.
Shak. A piece of wood or metal, usually flat and
elongated, turning on a nail or screw, to fasten something, as a
door.
A globule of metal remaining on an assay cupel
or in a crucible, after fusion.
Button hook, a hook for catching a button and
drawing it through a buttonhole, as in buttoning boots and gloves. --
Button shell (Zoöl.), a small, univalve
marine shell of the genus Rotella. -- Button
snakeroot. (Bot.) To fasten with a button or buttons; to inclose or
make secure with buttons; -- often followed by up.
He was a tall, fat, long-bodied man, buttoned up to
the throat in a tight green coat. To dress or clothe.
[Obs.]
Shak. To be fastened by a
button or buttons; as, the coat will not button.
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