buffet

UK: ˈbʊfeɪ | US: bəˈfeɪ

Definition

  1. n. 1. A meal consisting of several dishes from which guests serve themselves.

  2. n. 2. A piece of furniture or counter where food is displayed in a self-service manner.

  3. vt. 3. To strike repeatedly or forcefully; to batter (as by wind or waves).

Structure
buff <blow, from Old French *buffe*>et <diminutive suffix>
Etymology

The word "buffet" has two distinct etymological paths:

  1. For the dining sense: Borrowed from French buffet (sideboard), likely derived from Old French buffe (a blow/strike), metaphorically extended to describe a "counter" where food is displayed.
  2. For the verb meaning "to strike": Directly from Old French buffeter (to hit), from buffe (a blow) + -eter (frequentative suffix). The connection lies in the idea of repeated impact—whether literal (striking) or figurative (food being "struck" by serving utensils).
Examples

  1. The hotel offers a lavish breakfast buffet with international dishes.

  2. She placed the desserts on the buffet for guests to help themselves.

  3. Strong winds buffeted the coastline during the storm.

  4. The ship was buffeted by towering waves.

  5. We chose the buffet option to sample a variety of cuisines.