butt
UK[bʌt]US[bʌt]
v
to hit or push something or someone hard with the head or horns
n
the thicker end of a tool or weapon, especially the end of a rifle or shotgun that is held against the shoulder
n
the part of the body you sit on; the buttocks
n
a person who is often made fun of or blamed for something
n
a large barrel or cask for storing liquids, especially wine or beer
Etymology
the word 'butt' has a complex history, entering modern english from multiple converging paths. its core meaning of a thick or blunt end likely derives from old french 'bot', meaning 'end' or 'extremity', which itself may have come from a frankish source. the sense relating to striking with the head is shared with middle low german and middle dutch 'boten', meaning 'to strike' or 'to push'. meanwhile, the 'barrel' meaning comes from late latin 'buttis', meaning 'cask'. these distinct strands coalesced into the single, versatile english word we use today, united by an underlying concept of thickness, bluntness, or an end point.
Analysis
the word 'butt' is a simplex word of germanic origin. it is not productively formed from smaller, meaningful morphemes in modern english.
Examples
the goat lowered its head to butt the fence.
he rested the butt of the rifle firmly against his shoulder.
she slipped on the ice and landed squarely on her butt.