v. [f. BUTTON sb. + HOLD v., or rather, deduced immediately from button-hold-er.]
trans. To take hold of (a person) by a button, and detain him in conversation against his will. Hence Button-holding vbl. sb. and ppl. a.
1834. S. R. Maitland, Volunt. Syst. (1837), 192. He was not ‘a good beggar,’ as to forwardness, impudence, and button-holding perseverance.
1841. Hor. Smith, Moneyed Man, III. x. 278. Welford, button-held by Mr. Curling.
1858. Gladstone, Homer, I. I. iii. 27. Patroclus … is (to use the modern phrase) button-held by Nestor.
1860. Cornh. Mag., II. 97. Barricade your door … against the button-holding world.
1880. Home Jrnl. (N.Y.), 21 Jan. Charles Lamb, being button-held one day by Coleridge … cut off the button.
