4. A good-humored, slow-witted fellow; -- usually said of an elderly man. [Colloq.] Dickens.
Buff"er*head` (&?;), n. The head of a buffer, which recieves the concussion, in railroad carriages.
Buf*fet" (bf*f"), 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.
Not when a gilt buffet's reflected pride
Turns you from sound philosophy aside.
Pope.
2. A counter for refreshments; a restaurant at a railroad station, or place of public gathering.
Buf"fet (bf"ft), n. [OE. buffet, boffet, OF. buffet a slap in the face, a pair of bellows, fr. buffe blow, cf. F. bouffer to blow, puff; prob. akin to E. puff. For the meaning slap, blow, cf. F. soufflet a slap, souffler to blow. See Puff, v. i., and cf. Buffet sidebroad, Buffoon] 1. A blow with the hand; a slap on the face; a cuff.
When on his cheek a buffet fell.
Sir W. Scott.
2. A blow from any source, or that which affects like a blow, as the violence of winds or waves; a stroke; an adverse action; an affliction; a trial; adversity.
Those planks of tough and hardy oak that used for yeas to brave the buffets of the Bay of Biscay.
Burke.
Fortune's buffets and rewards.
Shak.