buffer: Meaning and Definition of

buff•er

1. an apparatus at the end of a railroad car, railroad track, etc., for absorbing shock during coupling, collisions, etc.
2. any device, material, or apparatus used as a shield, cushion, or bumper, esp. on machinery.
3. any intermediate or intervening shield or device reducing the danger of interaction between two machines, chemicals, electronic components, etc.
4. a person or thing that shields and protects against annoyance, harm, hostile forces, etc., or that lessens the impact of a shock or reversal.
5. any reserve moneys, negotiable securities, legal procedures, etc., that protect a person, organization, or country against financial ruin.
6. See
7. an animal population that becomes the prey of a predator that usually feeds on a different species.
8. a storage device for temporarily holding data until the computer is ready to receive or process the data, as when a receiving unit has an operating speed lower than that of the unit feeding data to it.
9. a circuit with a single output activated by one or more of several inputs.
1. any substance or mixture of compounds that, added to a solution, is capable of neutralizing both acids and bases without appreciably changing the original acidity or alkalinity of the solution.
2. Also calledbuff&prim;er solu&sec;tion.a solution containing such a substance.

1. to treat with a buffer.
2. to cushion, shield, or protect.
3. to lessen the adverse effect of; ease: The drug buffered his pain.

buff•er

1. a device for polishing or buffing, as a buff stick or buff wheel.
2. a worker who uses such a device.

buff•er

1. a foolish or incompetent person.
2. a fellow; man.
3. a chief boatswain's mate in the British navy.