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A.Word.A.Day--buffalo

buffalo (BUF-uh-lo) noun, plural buffalo or buffaloes or buffalos

1. Any of several oxlike Old World mammals of the family Bovidae, such as the water buffalo and Cape buffalo. The North American bison, Bison bison.

2. The buffalo fish.

verb tr.

1. To intimidate, as by a display of confidence or authority.

2. To deceive; hoodwink.

3. To confuse; bewilder.

[Italian bufalo, or Portuguese, or Spanish bufalo, from Late Latin bufalus, from Latin bubalus, from Greek boubalos.]

"Moe Howard (Paul Ben-Victor), the supposed brains of the act, is easily buffaloed by studio bosses." Terry Kelleher, Picks & Pans: Tube, People, Apr 24, 2000.

This week's theme: animal words that are used figuratively.

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