buoy

Meanings

Noun

• A float moored in water to mark a location, warn of danger, or indicate a navigational channel.
• A life-buoy; a life preserver.

Verb

• To keep afloat or aloft; used with up.
• To support or maintain at a high level.
• To mark with a buoy.
• To maintain or enhance enthusiasm or confidence; to lift the spirits of.

Origin

• From Middle English boy, boye, from Middle Dutch boeye ("float, buoy"), perhaps a special use of Middle Dutch boeye ("shackle, fetter"), from Old French buie ("fetter, chain") (compare modern bouée), probably from Frankish *baukn, or alternatively from Latin boia ("a (leather) collar, band, fetter"), from Ancient Greek βόεος, βόειος, from βοῦς, from Proto-Indo-European *gʷow- ("cow").