button-hole

but·ton-hole

B b

Definitions of button-hole word

noun button-hole the hole, slit, or loop through which a button is passed and by which it is secured. 1
noun button-hole Chiefly British. a boutonniere. 1
noun button-hole Surgery. a short, straight incision through the wall of a cavity or a canal. 1
verb with object button-hole to sew with a buttonhole stitch. 1
verb with object button-hole to make buttonholes in. 1
verb with object button-hole to hold by the buttonhole or otherwise abruptly detain (someone) in conversation: The reporter tried to buttonhole the mayor for a statement on the bus strike. 1

before 1555

One of the 31% oldest English words

First recorded in 1555-65; button + hole

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 88% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.

Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".