buzz  (b ŭz)
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v. buzzed, buzz·ing, buzz·es v.intr.1. To make a low droning or vibrating sound like that of a bee. 2. a. To talk, often excitedly, in low tones. b. To be abuzz; hum: The department was buzzing with rumors. 3. To move quickly and busily; bustle. 4. To make a signal with a buzzer. v.tr.1. To cause to buzz. 2. To utter in a rapid, low voice: "What is he buzzing in my ears?" (Robert Browning). 3. Informal To fly low over: The plane buzzed the control tower. 4. To call or signal with a buzzer. 5. To make a telephone call to. 6. To give a buzzcut to. n.1. A vibrating, humming, or droning sound. 2. A low murmur: a buzz of talk. 3. A telephone call: Give me a buzz at nine. 4. Slang a. A state of pleasant intoxication, as from alcohol. b. A state of stimulation or overstimulation, as from caffeine. 5. Slang a. Excited interest or attention: "The biggest buzz surrounds the simplest antioxidants: vitamins" (Carol Turkington). b. Rumor; gossip: the latest buzz from Hollywood. 6. A buzzcut. Phrasal Verb: buzz off Informal To leave quickly; go away: I told them in no uncertain terms to buzz off.
[Middle English bussen, of imitative origin.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2020 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices
Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:
Indo-European Roots
Semitic Roots
The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.
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