buttress

[buh-tris]

noun

1. any external prop or support built to steady a structure by opposing its outward thrusts, especially a projecting support built into or against the outside of a masonry wall.

2. any prop or support.

3. a thing shaped like a buttress, as a tree trunk with a widening base.

4. a bony or horny protuberance, especially on a horse's hoof.

verb (used with object)

1. to support by a buttress; prop up.

2. to give encouragement or support to (a person, plan, etc.).

   Synonyms: reinforce, brace, inspirit, support, hearten, encourage

buttress

/ ˈbʌtrɪs /

noun

1. Also called: pier. a construction, usually of brick or stone, built to support a wall See also flying buttress

2. any support or prop

3. something shaped like a buttress, such as a projection from a mountainside

4. either of the two pointed rear parts of a horse's hoof

verb

1. to support (a wall) with a buttress

2. to support or sustain

Other Word Forms

• buttressless adjective
• buttresslike adjective
• nonbuttressed adjective
• unbuttressed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of buttress¹

1350–1400; Middle English butres ≪ Old French ( arc ) boterez thrusting (arch) nominative singular of boteret (accusative), equivalent to boter- abutment (perhaps < Germanic; butt ³ ) + -et -et

Word History and Origins

Origin of buttress¹

C13: from Old French bouterez , short for ars bouterez thrusting arch, from bouter to thrust, _butt ³

Example Sentences

Such prohibitions exist in dozens of states, but many doctors, nurses and policymakers want to toughen them up as a buttress against private equity’s influence in the sector.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Among other priorities, she favors government spending in pursuit of buttressing Japan’s manufacturing economy and food security, and investing in nuclear energy, artificial intelligence and other high-tech sectors.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

The claims were buttressed at trial by the introduction into evidence of a previously unpublished audit of cleanup operations for several large fires in 2018.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

At a time when we should be buttressing hospice services, our government is threatening to starve them.

Read more on Salon

“You’ve got to be an activist, you’ve got to be proactive and you have to defend your strengths and buttress your weaknesses in everything you do,” said Kachuck, a married father of three adult children.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• reinforce 
• strengthen 
• uphold