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
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.
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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