any of various devices for reducing the effect of an impact, esp a spring-loaded metal disc on a railway vehicle or at the end of a railway track

a device that serves to protect something, or to cushion against shock

a person who shields another, esp from annoying routine matters

a chemical substance capable in solution of neutralizing both acids and bases and thereby maintaining original acidity or basicity, or a solution containing this substance

a temporary storage area in a computer, esp one that accepts information at one rate and delivers it at another

to lessen the shock of (something)

to add a buffer to (e.g. a solution), or to buffer a solution of (a substance)