buzzer
English
Etymology
From buzz + -er.
Pronunciation
- (UK) IPA(key): /ˈbʌzə/
- (US) IPA(key): /ˈbʌzəɹ/
Audio (AU) (file) - Rhymes: -ʌzə(ɹ)
Noun
buzzer (plural buzzers)
- One who, or that which, buzzes; an insect that buzzes.
- c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, OCLC 606515358, [Act IV, scene v]:
- And wants not buzzers to infect his ear / With pestilent speeches of his father's death.
- 1895, George Meredith, The Amazing Marriage:
- ... it left, however, a bee at his ear and an itch to transfer the buzzer's attentions and tease his darling; for she had betrayed herself as right good game.
-
- A device that makes a buzzing sound.
- If you think you know the answer to the question, hit the buzzer as fast as you can.
- (US slang) A police badge.
- 1939, Raymond Chandler, The Big Sleep, Penguin 2011, p. 28:
- I flipped my wallet open on her desk and let her look at the buzzer pinned to the flap.
- 1939, Raymond Chandler, The Big Sleep, Penguin 2011, p. 28:
- (cricket, slang) A run scored from an overthrow.
- (obsolete) A gossip.
- c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, OCLC 606515358, [Act IV, scene v]:
- Her brother is in secret come from France,
Feeds on this wonder, keeps himself in clouds
And wants not buzzers to infect his ear
With pestilent speeches of his father's death.
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Derived terms
- buzzer-beater
- buzzer flag
- buzzer phone
- joy buzzer
- moll buzzer
Descendants
- → Japanese: ブザー (buzā)
Translations
device
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