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   buffer

   /ˈbʌfə/

   noun

   • 1. a person or thing that reduces a shock or that forms a barrier between incompatible or antagonistic people or things: "family and friends can provide a buffer against stress"
   • ▪ a pair of shock-absorbing pistons projecting from a cross-beam at the end of a railway track or on the front and rear of a railway vehicle. British
   • 2. a solution which resists changes in pH when acid or alkali is added to it.
   • 3. a temporary memory area in which data is stored while it is being processed or transferred, especially one used while streaming video or downloading audio: "print speed is boosted by pages being formatted in a buffer while another is printing"

   verb

   • 1. lessen or moderate the impact of (something): "the massage helped to buffer the strain"
   • 2. treat with a chemical buffer: "add organic matter to buffer the resulting alkalinity"
   • 3. store (data) in a buffer while it is being processed or transferred: "try buffering as much of the video stream as you can before you hit the 'play' button"

   Word Origin mid 19th century: probably from obsolete buff (verb), imitative of the sound of a blow to a soft body.

   Scrabble Points: 14

   • B

     3

   • U

     1

   • F

     4

   • F

     4

   • E

     1

   • R

     1

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