butt Definition

butt¹
verb, tr & intr butted, butting

1. To push or hit hard or roughly with the head, in the way a ram or goat might. See also head-butt.

Thesaurus: ram, clash, collide, knock, smack, batter, buffet, strike, gore, horn, buck.
2. To join or be joined end to end with it.

Thesaurus: abut, adjoin, touch, bound, join.
Form: butt against something (especially)
Form: butt on something

noun

1. A blow with the head or horns.
2. The place where two edges join.

Etymology: 13c: from French boter to push or strike.

Phrasal Verb: butt in

To interrupt or interfere.

Phrasal Verb: butt into something

To interrupt (eg a conversation, or someone's private affairs).

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butt²
noun

1. The unused end of a finished cigar or cigarette, etc.
2. The thick, heavy or bottom end of a tool or weapon.

Example: a rifle butt
Thesaurus: base, stump, stub, remainder, hilt; Antonym: point, peak.
(now chiefly N Amer)
3. colloq
The buttocks.

Etymology: 15c as bott or but in senses 2 and 3; related to buttock.

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butt³
noun

1. A person who is often a target of jokes, ridicule or criticism, etc.

Thesaurus: laughing-stock, sap (slang), dupe, fool, sucker (slang).
2. A mound of earth behind a target on a shooting range, acting as a backstop.
3. A low mound behind which grouse-shooters, etc conceal themselves.

Etymology: 15c in sense 2: from French but a target or goal.

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butt⁴
noun

1. A large barrel for beer or rainwater, etc.

Etymology: 14c: from French botte, from Latin buttis cask.