ALL meanings of buttonholing
but·ton·hole
B b - noun buttonholing the hole, slit, or loop through which a button is passed and by which it is secured. 1
- noun buttonholing Chiefly British. a boutonniere. 1
- noun buttonholing Surgery. a short, straight incision through the wall of a cavity or a canal. 1
- verb with object buttonholing to sew with a buttonhole stitch. 1
- verb with object buttonholing to make buttonholes in. 1
- verb with object buttonholing 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
- noun buttonholing The act of detaining someone in conversation against his or her will. 0
- verb buttonholing present participle of buttonhole. 0