buttonhole

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a hole through which buttons are pushed
  2. verb detain in conversation by or as if by holding on to the outer garments of; as for political or economic favors

Etymology

Originally buttonhold (“a loop of string to hold a button down”), but changed by folk etymology by influence of hole, By surface analysis, button + hole.

In classic literature

Synonyms

button hole

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