buss

Buss is an English word with two primary, related meanings: as a verb meaning to kiss, and as a noun meaning a kiss. It is chiefly archaic, dialectal, or literary, and modern usage tends toward the more common word kiss. As a verb, buss can mean to kiss someone, often on the cheek or lips, with forms such as bussing or bussed. As a noun, a buss refers to the act or instance of kissing.

Etymology traces buss to early modern English spellings of the verb “to kiss,” influenced by the Old French baiser, the historical root of the modern word kiss. The spelling variant with double s reflects historical English orthography and pronunciation. The term appears in older English literature and poetry, where it conveys a familiar or affectionate gesture.

Usage today is largely confined to stylistic or humorous contexts, regional dialects, or quotations from historical texts. In contemporary writing and speech, most speakers use “kiss” instead of “buss.” Nevertheless, buss remains recognized in dictionaries as an archaic or literary synonym for a kiss.

In addition to its lexical senses, Buss is also a surname of English or Germanic origin. As a surname, it appears in historical records and among families, but this use is separate from the kiss meaning. The word is not commonly used in modern everyday language beyond references to historical texts, period works, or stylistic writing.