Webster's English Dictionary

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buoy

1. buoy \'bu:-e-, 'bo.i\ n [ME boye, fr. (assumed) MF boie, of Gmc origin; 
   akin to OE be]-acen sign - more at BEACON 1: FLOAT; esp : a floating object 
   moored to the bottom to mar k a channel or something (as a shoal) lying 
   under the water 2: LIFE BUOY 
2. buoy vt 1: to mark by or as if by a buoy  2a: to keep afloat  2b: 
   SUPPORT, SUSTAIN {hope ~s him up}  : FLOAT