chemistry An ionic compound that resists changes in its pH.

Roget 706: prevention, preclusion, obstruction, stoppage; embolus, embolism [Med.]; infarct [Med.]; interruption, interception, interclusion^†; hindrance, impedition^†; retardment^†, retardation; embarrassment, oppilation^†; coarctation^†, stricture, restriction; restraint etc. 751; inhibition etc. 761; blockade etc. (closure) 261.    interference, interposition; obtrusion; discouragement, discountenance.    impediment, let, obstacle, obstruction, knot, knag^†; check, hitch, contretemps, screw loose, grit in the oil.    bar, stile, barrier; [barrier to vehicles] turnstile, turnpike; gate, portcullis.    beaver dam; trocha^†; barricade etc. (defense) 717; wall, dead wall, sea wall, levee breakwater, groyne^†; bulkhead, block, buffer; stopper etc. 263; boom, dam, weir, burrock^†.    drawback, objection; stumbling-block, stumbling-stone; lion in the path, snag; snags and sawyers.    encumbrance, incumbrance^†; clog, skid, shoe, spoke; drag, drag chain, drag weight; stay, stop; preventive, prophylactic; load, burden, fardel^†, onus, millstone round one's neck, impedimenta; dead weight; lumber, pack; nightmare, Ephialtes^†, incubus, old man of the sea; remora.    difficulty etc. 704; insuperable etc. 471; obstacle; estoppel [Law]; ill wind; head wind etc. (opposition) 708; trammel, tether etc. (means of restraint) 752; hold back, counterpoise.    [person who hinders] damper, wet blanket, hinderer, marplot, killjoy; party pooper [Coll.]; party crasher, interloper.    trail of a red herring; opponent etc. 710.    ... show more

A neutral zone between two rival powers that is created in order to diminish the danger of conflict.

synonym: buffer zone.

Polish: pas neutralny

An inclined metal frame at the front of a locomotive to clear the track.

synonyms: cowcatcher, fender, pilot.

Roget 717: defense, protection, guard, ward; shielding etc. v.; propugnation^†, preservation etc. 670; guardianship.    area defense; site defense.    self-defense, self-preservation; resistance etc. 719.    safeguard etc. (safety) 664; balistraria^†; bunker, screen etc. (shelter) 666; camouflage etc. (concealment) 530; fortification; munition, muniment^†; trench, foxhole; bulwark, fosse^†, moat, ditch, entrenchment, intrenchment^†; kila^†; dike, dyke; parapet, sunk fence, embankment, mound, mole, bank, sandbag, revetment; earth work, field-work; fence, wall dead wall, contravallation^†; paling etc. (inclosure) 232; palisade, haha, stockade, stoccado^†, laager^†, sangar^†; barrier, barricade; boom; portcullis, chevaux de frise [Fr.]; abatis, abattis^†, abbatis^†; vallum^†, circumvallation^†, battlement, rampart, scarp; escarp^†, counter-scarp; glacis, casemate^†; vallation^†, vanfos^†.    buttress, abutment; shore etc. (support) 215.    breastwork, banquette, curtain, mantlet^†, bastion, redan^†, ravelin^†; vauntmure^†; advance work, horn work, outwork; barbacan^†, barbican; redoubt; fort-elage [Fr.], fort-alice; lines.    loophole, machicolation^†; sally port.    hold, stronghold, fastness; asylum etc. (refuge) 666; keep, donjon, dungeon, fortress, citadel, capitol, castle; tower of strength, tower of strength; fort, barracoon^†, pah^†, sconce, martello tower^†, peelhouse^†, blockhouse, rath^†; wooden walls.    [body armor] bulletproof vest, armored vest, buffer, corner stone, fender, apron, mask, gauntlet, thimble, carapace, armor, shield, buckler, aegis, breastplate, backplate^†, cowcatcher, face guard, scutum^†, cuirass, habergeon^†, mail, coat of mail, brigandine^†, hauberk, lorication^†, helmet, helm, bassinet, salade^†, heaume^†, morion^†, murrion^†, armet^†, cabaset^†, vizor^†, casquetel^†, siege cap, headpiece, casque, pickelhaube, vambrace^†, shako etc. (dress) 225.    bearskin; panoply; truncheon etc. (weapon) 727.    garrison, picket, piquet; defender, protector; guardian etc. (safety) 664; bodyguard, champion; knight-errant, Paladin; propugner^†.    bulletproof window.    hardened site.    ... show more

Dutch: loods

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.

synonyms: buffer storage, buffer store.

Dutch: buffer
Polish: bufor

A power tool used to buff surfaces.

synonym: polisher.

Dutch: buffer

A cushion-like device that reduces shock due to an impact.

synonym: fender.

Dutch: buffer, stootblok, stootkussen

An implement consisting of soft material mounted on a block; used for polishing (as in manicuring).

synonym: buff.

Add a buffer (a solution).

Protect from impact.

synonyms: cushion, soften.