buzz

Noun · Verb

Synonyms: bombilation bombination bombinate bombilate hum seethe

WordNet 3.0

Noun (2)

sound of rapid vibration“the buzz of a bumble bee”Synonyms: bombilation bombination
a confusion of activity and gossip“the buzz of excitement was so great that a formal denial was issued”

Verb (4)

make a buzzing sound“bees were buzzing around the hive”Synonyms: bombinate bombilate
fly low“Planes buzzed the crowds in the square”
be noisy with activity“This office is buzzing with activity”Synonyms: hum seethe
call with a buzzer“he buzzed the servant”

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Buzz \Buzz\ (b[u^]z), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Buzzed (b[u^]zd); p. pr. & vb. n. Buzzing.] [An onomatop[oe]ia.] To make a low, continuous, humming or sibilant sound, like that made by bees with their wings. Hence: To utter a murmuring sound; to speak with a low, humming voice. [1913 Webster]

Like a wasp is buzzed, and stung him. --Longfellow. [1913 Webster]

However these disturbers of our peace Buzz in the people's ears. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Buzz \Buzz\, v. t.

1.To sound forth by buzzing. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

2.To whisper; to communicate, as tales, in an under tone; to spread, as report, by whispers, or secretly. [1913 Webster]

I will buzz abroad such prophecies That Edward shall be fearful of his life.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

3.To talk to incessantly or confidentially in a low humming voice. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster]

4.(Phonetics) To sound with a "buzz". --H. Sweet. [1913 Webster]

Buzz \Buzz\, n.

1.A continuous, humming noise, as of bees; a confused murmur, as of general conversation in low tones, or of a general expression of surprise or approbation. "The constant buzz of a fly." --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]

I found the whole room in a buzz of politics.— Addison.[1913 Webster]

There is a buzz all around regarding the sermon.— Thackeray.[1913 Webster]

2.A whisper; a report spread secretly or cautiously. [1913 Webster]

There's a certain buzz Of a stolen marriage.— Massinger.[1913 Webster]

3.(Phonetics) The audible friction of voice consonants. --H. Sweet. [1913 Webster]

Free On-line Dictionary of Computing

buzz

1.Of a program, to run with no indication of progress and perhaps without guarantee of ever finishing; especially said of programs thought to be executing a tight loop of code. A program that is buzzing appears to be catatonic, but never gets out of catatonia, while a buzzing loop may eventually end of its own accord. "The program buzzes for about 10 seconds trying to sort all the names into order." See spin; see also grovel.

2.[ETA Systems] To test a wire or printed circuit trace for continuity by applying an AC rather than DC signal. Some wire faults will pass DC tests but fail a buzz test.

3.To process an array or list in sequence, doing the same thing to each element. "This loop buzzes through the tz array looking for a terminator type." [Jargon File]

The Jargon File

buzz vi.

1.Of a program, to run with no indication of progress and perhaps without guarantee of ever finishing; esp. said of programs thought to be executing tight loops of code. A program that is buzzing appears to be catatonic, but never gets out of catatonia, while a buzzing loop may eventually end of its own accord. “The program buzzes for about 10 seconds trying to sort all the names into order.” See spin; see also grovel.

2.[ETA Systems] To test a wire or printed circuit trace for continuity, esp. by applying an AC rather than DC signal. Some wire faults will pass DC tests but fail an AC buzz test.

3.To process an array or list in sequence, doing the same thing to each element. “This loop buzzes through the tz array looking for a terminator type.”