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Definition of buttress
1 architecture : a projecting structure of masonry or wood for supporting or giving stability to a wall or building
2 : something that resembles a buttress: such asa : a projecting part of a mountain or hillb biology : a horny protuberance on a horse's hoof at the heel — see hoof illustrationc botany : the broadened base of a tree trunk or a thickened vertical part of it
3 : something that supports or strengthens a buttress of the cause of peace
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Examples of buttress in a Sentence
the mother had always been the buttress of our family in trying times
after the wall collapsed, the construction company agreed to rebuild it with a buttress
Recent Examples of buttress from the Web
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Every candidate, from governor to senator to attorney general, assures me that plans are already in place with neighboring states to form a buttress against the damage this administration has and will continue to cause.
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The buttresses on the outside of the building are each topped by a mournful figure, while the bas-reliefs depict scenes from Australian campaigns at Gallipoli and the Western Front.
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When the roof is lowered, some riders can notice a bit of wind buffeting from the buttresses area.
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But University of Massachusetts-Amherst climatologist Rob DeConto notes that some ice shelves act as buttresses, impeding the seaward flow of the ice sheets on land behind them.
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Their trunks, ten to fifteen feet in diameter, were braced with massive buttresses and knees.
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The collapse of the Larsen A and B ice shelves in 1995 and 2002 removed a buttress that slowed and stabilized glaciers flowing off the peninsula’s coastline.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'buttress'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Did You Know?
A buttress is an exterior support projecting from a wall that is used to resist the sideways force, also called thrust, created by the load on an arch or roof. Its name was first adopted into English as "butres" in the 14th century. It came to us from the Anglo-French (arche) boteraz, meaning "thrusting (arch)," and ultimately derives from the verb "buter," "to thrust." "Buter" is also the source of our verb butt, meaning "to thrust, push, or strike with the head or horns." Relatively soon, "buttress" came to be used figuratively for anything that supports or strengthens something else. In addition, it was also in the 14th century that "buttress" was first used as a verb meaning "to support or strengthen," literally and figuratively.
Illustration of buttress
Origin and Etymology of buttress
Middle English butres, from Anglo-French (arche) boteraz thrusting (arch), ultimately from buter to thrust — more at butt
buttress
Definition of buttress
transitive verb
architecture : to give support or stability to (a wall or building) with a projecting structure of masonry or wood : to furnish or shore up with a buttress (see 1buttress 1); also : support, strengthen arguments buttressed by solid facts
Examples of buttress in a Sentence
The treaty will buttress the cause of peace.
The theory has been buttressed by the results of the experiment.
Recent Examples of buttress from the Web
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A hierarchy of the senses also buttresses place names.
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That's where leaders can step in to buttress civil decency.
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CLEVELAND --- Indications are that Ohio lawmakers are not going to allow electric utilities to seek rate increases solely to buttress sagging credit ratings.
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But regardless of its legal standing, Corker’s statement serves to buttress Tillerson’s efforts to move the GCC parties toward resolution.
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MGM seized on the footnote in the appellate decision, predicting that the legislation giving the tribes a third casino ultimately will buttress its argument about special treatment.
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The deal buttresses Amazon’s famed logistics engine,...
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The earl grey (light on the bergamot) created a flavor bridge to the accompanying morel ragout, a dark, herby stew, buttressed by thick-cut, buttered brioche toast.
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Trump’s aggressive rhetoric is only having an impact because of the legal framework buttressing it.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'buttress'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of buttress
see 1buttress
BUTTRESS Defined for English Language Learners
buttress
playDefinition of buttress for English Language Learners
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: a structure built against a wall in order to support or strengthen it
buttress
Definition of buttress for English Language Learners
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: to support, strengthen, or defend (something)
BUTTRESS Defined for Kids
Definition of buttress for Students
1 : a structure built against a wall or building to give support and strength
2 : something that supports, props, or strengthens
Definition of buttress for Students
buttressed
;buttressing
: to support or strengthen : to support with or as if with a buttress
Learn More about buttress
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for buttress Spanish Central: Translation of buttress Nglish: Translation of buttress for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of buttress for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about buttress
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