buffer
1 of 4noun (1)
buff·er ˈbə-fər 
plural buffers
1
: any of various devices or pieces of material for reducing shock or damage due to contact
2
: a means or device used as a cushion against the shock of fluctuations in business or financial activity
3
: something that serves as a protective barrier: such as
a
: buffer state
b
: a person who shields another especially from annoying routine matters
c
: mediator sense 1
4
: a substance capable in solution of neutralizing both acids and bases and thereby maintaining the original acidity or basicity of the solution
also : a solution containing such a substance
5
: a section of computer memory for temporarily storing information
especially : one that accepts information at one rate and delivers it at another
The streaming video feed continues to download into the buffer while the computer starts playing the movie.
buffered
ˈbə-fərd
adjective buffer
2 of 4verb
buffered; buffering ˈbə-f(ə-)riŋ ; buffers
; buffers transitive verb
1
: to lessen the shock of : cushion
2
: to treat (something, such as an acid solution) with a buffer
also : to prepare (aspirin) with an antacid
3
: to collect (data) in a buffer
buffer
3 of 4noun (2)
plural buffers
: someone or something that buffs
especially : a machine that cleans and polishes
a floor buffer
buffer
4 of 4noun (3)
plural buffers
British slang
: fellow, man
a jolly buffer
especially : an old man
And now that I'm an old crock and he's an old buffer, we have our daily skirmishes—he wants the window closed, I want it open. 
Fiona Cooper
Fiona Cooper 
Synonyms
Noun (1)
- broker
- conciliator
- go-between
- honest broker
- interceder
- intercessor
- intermediary
- intermediate
- interposer
- mediator
- middleman
- peacemaker
Verb
- cushion
- gentle
- soften
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb The trees help buffer the house from the hot summer sun. The wall buffers the noise of the traffic.
Word History
Etymology
Noun (1)
buff, verb, to react like a soft body when struck
Noun (3)
origin unknown
First Known Use
Noun (1)
1835, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1845, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun (2)
1854, in the meaning defined above
Noun (3)
1749, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing buffer
Medical Definition
buffer 1 of 2
noun
buff·er ˈbəf-ər
1
: a substance or mixture of substances (as bicarbonates and some proteins in biological fluids) that in solution tends to stabilize the hydrogen-ion concentration by neutralizing within limits both acids and bases
2
: buffer solution
buffer
2 of 2transitive verb
: to treat (as a solution or its acidity) with a buffer
also : to prepare (aspirin) with an antacid
buffering 1 of 2
adjective
as in softening
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- softening
- cushioning
- clement
- emollient
- lenient
- easy
- merciful
- smooth
- compassionate
- soothing
- pacific
- slick
- placid
- calm
- tranquil
- sleek
- light
- serene
- quiet
- peaceful
- gentle
- mild
- benign
- mellow
- bland
- soft
- nonabrasive
- delicate
- tender
- balmy
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- caustic
- hard
- intense
- coarse
- harsh
- abrasive
- severe
- powerful
- rough
- stern
- violent
- exquisite
- fierce
- irritating
- scathing
- savage
- forceful
- strong
- forcible
- ungentle
- rugged
- roughened
- roughening
- stiff
- abrading
- oppressive
- grim
- rude
- pitiless
- tyrannical
- gruff
- tyrannic
- heavy-handed
buffering
2 of 2verb
as in cushioning
to lessen the shock of during my walk an umbrella and thick coat buffered the freezing rain Synonyms & Similar Words
- softening
- cushioning
- mitigating
- modulating
- alleviating
- tempering
- dampening
- relieving
- moderating
- deadening
- lightening
- baffling
- dulling
- obtunding
- gentling
- allaying
- easing
- assuaging
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- intensifying
- sharpening
- heightening