▪ I. butteris1
(ˈbʌtərɪs)
Forms: 6 buttris, 6, 8 buttrice, 7 buttresse, butterys(se, 7–8 buttress, 7– butteris.
[Cf. butter n.2, F. boutoir; also F. boutereau, bouterolle, names of instruments used in various trades for punching or boring. The precise formation of the Eng. word is unknown.]
A farrier's tool for paring a horse's hoofs.
| 1573 Tusser Husb. (1878) 36 A buttrice and pincers, a hammer and naile. 1591 Percivall Sp. Dict., Pujavante, a smithes buttris, scaber. 1617 Markham Caval. iv. 9 With a fine sharpe Butteris or pairing knife, pare the hoofe of the Foale. 1611 Cotgr., Boutoir, a Farriers Buttresse. 1781 P. Beckford Hunting (1802) 348 note, That destructive instrument called the butteris..should be banished for ever. 1831 Youatt Horse (1853) 120 The formidable butteris is still often found in the smithy of the country farrier, although it is banished from the practice of every respectable operator. |
▪ II. † butteris2, -esse, n. Obs.
In 6 butteris, -esse.
? An obsolete measure used for coals.
| 1635 Althorp MS. in Simpkinson Washingtons Introd. 73, 28 butteris of pitt coales brought by the waynes at 6s. 4d. the butteresse. |