First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1buck
noun \ˈbək\
plural bucks
Definition of BUCK
1
or plural buck : a male animal; especially : a male deer or antelope
3
or plural buck : antelope
4
5
[short for sawbuck sawhorse] a : a supporting rack or frame b : a short thick leather-covered block for gymnastic vaulting
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Origin of BUCK
Middle English, from Old English bucca stag, he-goat; akin to Old High German boc he-goat, Middle Irish bocc
2buck
verb
of a horse : to jump violently into the air with the back bent upward
: to oppose or resist (something or someone)
Full Definition of BUCK
transitive verb
2
: to throw (as a rider) by bucking
3
: to charge into (as a headwind)
4
a : to pass especially from one person to another b : to move or load (as heavy objects) especially with mechanical equipment
intransitive verb
1
of a horse or mule : to spring into the air with the back arched
2
: to charge against something
3
a : to move or react jerkily b : to refuse assent : balk
4
: to strive for advancement sometimes without regard to ethical behavior <bucking for a promotion>
— buck·er noun
See buck defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of BUCK
1750
Related to BUCK
3buck
noun
4buck
noun
Definition of BUCK
1
: an object formerly used in poker to mark the next player to deal; broadly : a token used as a mark or reminder
2
: responsibility —used especially in the phrases pass the buck and the buck stops here
Origin of BUCK
short for earlier buckhorn knife
First Known Use: 1865
5buck
adjective
Definition of BUCK
: of the lowest grade within a military category <a buck private>
Origin of BUCK
probably from 1buck
First Known Use: 1918
6buck
adverb
Definition of BUCK
: stark, completely <buck naked>
Origin of BUCK
origin unknown
First Known Use: 1928
Buck
biographical name \ˈbək\
Definition of BUCK
Linda B. 1947– Am. biol.
Buck
biographical name
Definition of BUCK
Pearl 1892–1973 née Sy*den*strick*er \ˈsī-dən-ˌstri-kər\ Am. nov.
BUCK[1] Defined for Kids
1buck
noun \ˈbək\
Definition of BUCK for Kids
1
: the male of an animal (as a deer or rabbit) the female of which is called doe
2
: dollar <The cost is ten bucks.>
Word History of BUCK
The word buck in the sense “dollar” was originally short for buckskin, in other words, the skin of a male deer. In colonial America, especially in the southeastern colonies, American Indians hunted deer and prepared their hides to trade for European goods. “Bucks,” or buckskins, became a means of calculating the value of goods, and the word was transferred to the dollar when the deerskin trade came to an end.
2buck
verb
buckedbuck·ing
Definition of BUCK for Kids
1
: to spring or jump upward with head down and back arched <The rider nearly fell when the horse suddenly bucked.>
2
: to charge or push against <Our boat was bucking the waves.>
3
: to go against : oppose <We decided to buck the trend and wear ties.>
— buck up
: to become more confident
Learn More About BUCK
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