buttressing

but·tress  (btrs)

n.

1. A structure, usually brick or stone, built against a wall for support or reinforcement.

2. Something resembling a buttress, as:

a. The flared base of certain tree trunks.

b. A horny growth on the heel of a horse's hoof.

3. Something that serves to support, prop, or reinforce: "The law is by its very nature a buttress of the status quo" (J. William Fulbright).

tr.v. but·tressed, but·tress·ing, but·tress·es

1. To support or reinforce with a buttress.

2. To sustain, prop, or bolster: "The author buttresses her analysis with lengthy dissections of several of Moore's poems" (Warren Woessner).

---

[Middle English buteras, from Old French bouterez, from bouter, to strike against, of Germanic origin; see bhau- in Indo-European roots.]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

buttressing - a support usually of stone or brick; supports the wall of a building buttress arc-boutant, flying buttress - a buttress that stands apart from the main structure and connected to it by an arch support - supporting structure that holds up or provides a foundation; "the statue stood on a marble support"