Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun See buoy, 2.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun UK Torus-shaped object of density low enough to keep a person, who usually slips his head, shoulders, and arms through it, afloat.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • "Mrs. Duncan," was Duncan's reply, as he tore the life-buoy from its hook and flung it aft.

    Bunches of Knuckles 2010

  • Mapuhi and his wife survive amid the broken bodies littering the island but his mother Nauri is missing, swept away, forming a life-buoy out of floating cocoanuts and drifting to a tiny island fifteen miles from Hikueru where she is tormented by the corpses washing ashore.

    “Day had broken cold and gray, exceedingly cold and gray, . . . .” 2008

  • If to save a life we want instantly a loaf, or brandy, or a life-buoy, then it does not matter whose loaf or brandy or life-buoy it is that is at hand; it must be used.

    The Catholic Doctrine of Property Part One 2008

  • When your life has been saved, you return the life-buoy and pay for the brandy.

    The Catholic Doctrine of Property Part One 2008

  • If there is a man overboard, he must have my life-buoy; but that does not make the whole ship common property.

    The Catholic Doctrine of Property Part One 2008

  • I caught hold of a life-buoy which was near me — a gentleman clutched it from me, for fright makes some men selfish — and, breathless, I was thrown down into the gurgling water.

    The Englishwoman in America 2007

  • A cry for the life-buoy passed from mouth to mouth.

    Our Mutual Friend 2004

  • Till, gaining that vital centre, the black bubble upward burst; and now, liberated by reason of its cunning spring, and, owing to its great buoyancy, rising with great force, the coffin life-buoy shot lengthwise from the sea, fell over, and floated by my side.

    Moby Dick; or the Whale 2002

  • “A life-buoy of a coffin!” cried Starbuck, starting.

    Moby Dick; or the Whale 2002

  • His topper come up aisy like, as though 'twas a life-buoy if I may say soo, and unnerneath it come the fur boa, and then the guv'nor.

    Edward FitzGerald and "Posh" "Herring Merchants" James Blyth

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