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 calledpier 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 Words From

• buttress·less adjective
• buttress·like adjective
• non·buttressed adjective
• un·buttressed 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

As the late September sun set on the East Buttress of Mt.

From Los Angeles Times

The Whitney climbers set out from the base of the mountain at 1:30 a.m. on Sept. 21 with plans to summit via the East Buttress route, which includes 11 pitches, according to the incident report.

From Los Angeles Times

The pair started their ascent of the East Buttress around 10 a.m., but five hours later had only reached the top of the third pitch.

From Los Angeles Times

A rescue team was brought part of the way up the mountain by helicopter the next morning and climbed the East Buttress to perform the rescue.

From Los Angeles Times

But the moderators’ velvet-gloved handling of fact-checking, couched as clarification, was not enough to buttress the event’s anemic utility.

From Salon