Definitions for: Buttress


[n] a support usually of stone or brick; supports the wall of a building
[v] make stronger or defensible; "buttress your thesis"
[v] reinforce with a buttress; "Buttress the church"



Webster (1913) Definition: But"tress, n. [OE. butrasse, boterace, fr. F. bouter
to push; cf. OF. bouteret (nom. sing. and acc. pl. bouterez)
buttress. See Butt an end, and cf. Butteris.]
1. (Arch.) A projecting mass of masonry, used for resisting
the thrust of an arch, or for ornament and symmetry.

Note: When an external projection is used merely to stiffen a
wall, it is a pier.

2. Anything which supports or strengthens. ``The ground
pillar and buttress of the good old cause of
nonconformity.'' --South.

Flying buttress. See Flying buttress.


But"tress, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Buttressed (?); p.
pr. & vb. n. Buttressing.]
To support with a buttress; to prop; to brace firmly.

To set it upright again, and to prop and buttress it up
for duration. --Burke.

Synonyms: buttressing

See Also: arc-boutant, beef up, flying buttress, fortify, reenforce, reinforce, strengthen, support

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