buttress

American  

[buh-tris] / ˈbʌ trɪs /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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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

Etymology

Origin of buttress

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

Example Sentences

There’s nothing like a Fed put to buttress markets, even if doubts exist this whole artificial-intelligence thing is going to work out swimmingly.

From MarketWatch

The Met has recently removed several items from display in response, but it has refused to show Cambodian officials internal documents that might buttress, or undermine, the museum’s proper title to the objects.

From New York Times

The results buttress a recent trend of luxury shoppers indulging in lipsticks and fragrances even as they shun high-end purchases amid rising interest rates and product prices.

From Reuters

But to Ping An and some other investors, the bank has not done enough to bolster its China-facing businesses, and has instead siphoned off money from them to buttress slower-growing operations in the West.

From New York Times

He has become more bullish on dividend paying stocks in sectors such as utilities, expecting the extra income to buttress returns as inflation weighs on equity valuations and the S&P 500 treads water.

From Reuters

Related Words

• reinforce
• strengthen
• uphold