fibulate, v.
(ˈfɪbjʊleɪt)
[f. L. fībulāt-, ppl. stem of fībulāre to clasp, f. fībula: see fibula.]
† a. intr. (nonce-use) To perform the action of buttoning and unbuttoning; to fiddle with one's buttons (obs.—1). † b. trans. (see quot. 1656–81). c. To put a button on (a foil). Hence ˈfibulated ppl. a. fibuˈlation (see quot.).
| 1640 Brome Antipodes ii. ii, Your fingers fibulating on your breast. 1656–81 Blount Glossogr., Fibulate, to joyn, or fasten together. 1658 Phillips, Fibulation, a buttoning, or joyning together. 1832–4 De Quincey Cæsars Wks. 1862 IX. 138 Perhaps buttoned, fibulated as in the case of our own foils. |