n's writings gave a great impetus to the scientific
study of the Greek language. His _Griechische Grammatik_ (1792) went
through many editions, and was translated into English. His _Lexilogus_, a
valuable study on some words of difficulty occurring principally in the
poems of Homer and Hesiod, was published in 1818-1825, and was translated
into English. Buttmann's other works were _Ausfuehrliche griechische
Sprachlehre_ (2 vols., 1819-1827); _Mythologus_, a collection of essays
(1828-1829); and editions of some classical authors, the most important
being _Demosthenes in Midiam_ (1823) and the continuation of Spalding's
_Quintilian_.

[v.04 p.0891] BUTTON (Fr. _bouton_, O. Fr. _boton_, apparently from the
same root as _bouter_, to push), a small piece of metal or other material
which, pushed through a loop or button-hole, serves as a catch between
different parts of a garment, &c. The word is also used of other objects
which have a projecting knob-like character, _e.g._ button-mushrooms, the
button of an electric bell-push, or the guard at the tip of a fencing foil;
or which resemble a button in size and shape, as the button of metal
obtained in assaying operations. At first buttons were apparently used for
purposes of ornamentation; in _Piers Plowman_ (1377) mention is made of a
knife with "botones ouergylte," and in Lord Berner's translation of
_Froissart's Chronicles_ (1525) of a book covered with crimson velvet with
"ten botons of syluer and gylte." While this use has continued, especially
in connexion with women's dress, they began to be employed as fastenings at
least as early as the 15th century. As a term of comparison for something
trivial or worthless, the word is found in the 14th century. Buttons of
distinctive colour or pattern, or bearing a portrait or motto, are often
worn, especially in the United States, as a decoration, or sign of
membership of a society or of adherence to a political party; among the
most honoured of such buttons are those worn by members of the military
order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, organized in 1865 by
officers who had fought in the Civil War. Chinese officials wear a button
or knob on their hats as a mark of rank, the grade being denoted by its
colour and material (see MANDARIN).

Many varieties of buttons are used on clothing, but they may be divided
into two main classes according to the arrangement by which they are
attached to the garment; in one class they are