'Buttress' definitions:
Definition of 'buttress'
(from WordNet)
noun
A support usually of stone or brick; supports the wall of a building [syn: buttress, buttressing]
verb
Reinforce with a buttress; "Buttress the church"
verb
Make stronger or defensible; "buttress your thesis"
Definition of 'Buttress'
From: GCIDE
- Buttress \But"tress\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Buttressed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Buttressing.] To support with a buttress; to prop; to brace firmly. [1913 Webster]
- To set it upright again, and to prop and buttress it up for duration. --Burke. [1913 Webster]
Definition of 'Buttress'
From: GCIDE
- Buttress \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. [1913 Webster]
- Note: When an external projection is used merely to stiffen a wall, it is a pier. [1913 Webster]
- 2. Anything which supports or strengthens. "The ground pillar and buttress of the good old cause of nonconformity." --South. [1913 Webster]
- Flying buttress. See Flying buttress. [1913 Webster]
Synonyms of 'buttress'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- abutment,
- advocate,
- affirm,
- afford support,
- alpenstock,
- arc-boutant,
- arm,
- athletic supporter,
- attest,
- authenticate,
- back,
- back up,
- backbone,
- backing,
- bandeau,
- bank,
- beam,
- bear,
- bear out,
- bear up,
- bearer,
- beef up,
- bolster,
- bolster up,
- bra,
- brace,
- brace up,
- bracer,
- bracket,
- brassiere,
- breakwater,
- bulwark,
- buoy up,
- buttress pier,
- buttressing,
- cane,
- carrier,
- carry,
- case harden,
- certify,
- cervix,
- circumstantiate,
- column,
- confirm,
- corroborate,
- corset,
- cradle,
- crook,
- crutch,
- cushion,
- document,
- embankment,
- finance,
- flying buttress,
- fortify,
- foundation garment,
- fulcrum,
- fund,
- gird,
- girdle,
- give support,
- groin,
- guy,
- guywire,
- hanging buttress,
- harden,
- hold,
- hold up,
- invigorate,
- jetty,
- jock,
- jockstrap,
- jutty,
- keep,
- keep afloat,
- keep up,
- lend support,
- mainstay,
- maintain,
- maintainer,
- mast,
- mole,
- neck,
- nerve,
- pier,
- pier buttress,
- pillow,
- probate,
- prop,
- prop up,
- prove,
- rampart,
- ratify,
- refresh,
- reinforce,
- reinforcement,
- reinforcer,
- reinvigorate,
- rest,
- resting place,
- restrengthen,
- retaining wall,
- rigging,
- seawall,
- shore,
- shore up,
- shoulder,
- shroud,
- spine,
- sprit,
- staff,
- standing rigging,
- stave,
- stay,
- steel,
- stick,
- stiffen,
- stiffener,
- strengthen,
- strengthener,
- subsidize,
- substantiate,
- subvention,
- subventionize,
- support,
- supporter,
- sustain,
- sustainer,
- temper,
- toughen,
- underbrace,
- undergird,
- underlie,
- underpin,
- underpinning,
- underset,
- upbear,
- uphold,
- upholder,
- upkeep,
- validate,
- verify,
- walking stick,
- warrant