\Buf*fet"\ (b[oo^]f*f[=a]"), 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\ (b[u^]f"f[e^]t), 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.
3. A small stool; a stool for a buffet or counter.
         Go fetch us a light buffet.           --Townely
                                               Myst.

\Buf"fet\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Buffeted}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Buffeting}.] [OE. buffeten, OF. buffeter. See the
preceding noun.]
1. To strike with the hand or fist; to box; to beat; to cuff;
   to slap.
         They spit in his face and buffeted him. --Matt.
                                               xxvi. 67.
2. To affect as with blows; to strike repeatedly; to strive
   with or contend against; as, to buffet the billows.
         The sudden hurricane in thunder roars, Buffets the
         bark, and whirls it from the shores.  --Broome.
         You are lucky fellows who can live in a dreamland of
         your own, instead of being buffeted about the world.
                                               --W. Black.
3. [Cf. {Buffer}.] To deaden the sound of (bells) by muffling
   the clapper.

\Buf"fet\, v. i.
1. To exercise or play at boxing; to strike; to smite; to
   strive; to contend.
         If I might buffet for my love, or bound my horse for
         her favors, I could lay on like a butcher. --Shak.
2. To make one's way by blows or struggling.
         Strove to buffet to land in vain.     --Tennyson.