buffer

1 an ionic compound that resists changes in its pH

2 an inclined metal frame at the front of a locomotive to clear the track [syn: fender, cowcatcher, pilot]

3 (computer science) a part of RAM used for temporary storage of data that is waiting to be sent to a device; used to compensate for differences in the rate of flow of data between components of a computer system [syn: buffer storage, buffer store]

4 a power tool used to buff surfaces [syn: polisher]

5 a cushion-like device that reduces shock due to contact [syn: fender]

6 an implement consisting of soft material mounted on a block; used for polishing (as in manicuring) [syn: buff]

1 add a buffer (a solution); "buffered saline solution for the eyes"

2 protect from impact; "cushion the blow" [syn: cushion, soften]

English

Etymology

-er buff

Pronunciation

• (UK) /ˈbʌfə/, /"bVf@/
• (US) /ˈbʌfɚ/, /"bVf@`/

• Rhymes: -ʌfə(r)

Noun

1. Someone or something that buffs.
2. A solution used to stabilize the pH (acidity) of a liquid.
3. A portion of memory set aside to store data, often before it is sent to an external device or as it is received from an external device.
4. (mechanical) Anything used to maintain slack or isolate different objects.
5. A routine or storage medium used to compensate for a difference in rate of flow of data, or time of occurrence of events, when transferring data from one device to another.
6. An isolating circuit, often an amplifier, used to minimize the influence of a driven circuit on the driving circuit.
7. In international relations, a buffer zone (such as a demilitarized zone) or a buffer state.

Translations

Verb

en-verb buffer

1. To use a buffer or buffers; to isolate or minimize the effects of one thing on another.
2. To store data in memory temporarily.

Adjective

buffer

1. comparative of buff

Related terms

• buffer lass
• buffer up
• buffer zone

Buffer can refer to:

• Buffer state, a country lying between two potentially hostile greater powers, thought to prevent conflict between them
• Buffer zone, any area that keeps two or more other areas distant from one another, may be demilitarized
• Buffer (rail transport), a device that cushions the impact of vehicles against each other
• Buffer stop (bumper in U.S.), a device to prevent railway vehicles from going past the end of a section of track
• Recoil buffer, an accessory for firearms, to cushion the impact of recoil
• Film loop, isolates intermittent motion in a movie projector
• Buffer (navy), the colloquial term for the senior seaman sailor in a (British Commonwealth) Navy ship
• Buffer wheel, a wheel attached to a motor similar to a pedestal grinder used to smooth and polish metals and other materials
• Buffer, a non "traveler" (gypsy), from "the Riches" FX tv show.

In chemistry:

• Buffer solution, a solution which resists change of pH upon addition of small amounts of acid or base, or upon dilution
• Buffering agent, the weak acid or weak base in a buffer solution
• Buffer gas, an inert or nonflammable gas
• Lysis buffer, in biochemistry, a destructor of cell membranes that enables analysis of the compounds within

In geology:

• Mineral redox buffer, a mineral assemblage which stabilises oxidation state in natural rock systems

In electronics and computer science:

• Data buffer, memory used to temporarily store output or input data
• Buffer (telecommunication), a routine or storage medium used to compensate for a difference in rate of flow of data between devices
• Framebuffer
• Optical buffer, a device that stores optically transmitted data without converting it to the electrical domain
• Buffer amplifier (also sometimes simply called a buffer), an isolating circuit used in electronics or telecommunications
• Buffer (optical fiber), a component used to encapsulate one or more optical fibers in a fiber optic communication cable

In MMORPG:

• Buff (MMORPG terminology), common title for abilities which primary function is to enhance other character's abilities (most often in some magic way).

People

• Bruce Buffer, sports announcer.
• Michael Buffer, sports announcer.

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