buttonhole Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a hole through which buttons are pushed
    button hole.
  2. verb detain in conversation by or as if by holding on to the outer garments of; as for political or economic favors
    lobby.

WordNet

But"ton*hole` noun
Definitions
  1. The hole or loop in which a button is caught.
But"ton*hole` transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To hold at the button or buttonhole; to detain in conversation to weariness; to bore; as, he buttonholed me a quarter of an hour.

Webster 1913