buttonhole

[ buht-n-hohl ]
/ ˈbʌt nˌhoʊl /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR buttonhole ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the hole, slit, or loop through which a button is passed and by which it is secured.
Chiefly British. a boutonniere.
Surgery. a short, straight incision through the wall of a cavity or a canal.

verb (used with object), but·ton·holed, but·ton·hol·ing.

to sew with a buttonhole stitch.
to make buttonholes in.
to hold by the buttonhole or otherwise abruptly detain (someone) in conversation: The reporter tried to buttonhole the mayor for a statement on the bus strike.

Origin of buttonhole

First recorded in 1555–65; button + hole

OTHER WORDS FROM buttonhole

but·ton·hol·er, noun

Words nearby buttonhole

button-down, button-through, buttonball, buttonbush, buttoned-up, buttonhole, buttonhole someone, buttonhole stitch, buttonhook, buttonless, buttonmold

Words related to buttonhole

pot, wreath, garland, vase, urge, sue, force, worry, demand, push, assail, squeeze, petition, harass, hound, plague, pester, beleaguer, confront, annoy

Example sentences from the Web for buttonhole

British Dictionary definitions for buttonhole

buttonhole
/ (ˈbʌtənˌhəʊl) /

noun

a slit in a garment, etc, through which a button is passed to fasten two surfaces together
a flower or small bunch of flowers worn pinned to the lapel or in the buttonhole, esp at weddings, formal dances, etc US name: boutonniere

verb (tr)

to detain (a person) in conversation
to make buttonholes in
to sew with buttonhole stitch

Medical definitions for buttonhole

buttonhole
[ bŭt′n-hōl′ ]

n.

A short straight surgical cut made through the wall of a cavity or canal.
The contraction of an orifice down to a narrow slit, as in mitral stenosis.