noun
plural -ers
[count] something that gives protection by separating things :a protective barrier
computers :a place in the memory of a computer where information is stored for a short time
chiefly Brit :either one of two devices with metal springs that are connected to the front and back of railroad cars in order to reduce shock when the train hits things - compare 3buffer
hit the buffers
or run into the buffers
Brit informal :to stop or fail
verb
-ers; -ered; -ering
[+ obj] to protect (something) from something
to lessen the harmful effects of (something)
computers :to put (something, such as data) in a buffer
noun
plural -ers
[count] Brit informal :an old man