buttress
noun
[ ˈbʌtrɪs ]
• a structure of stone or brick built against a wall to strengthen or support it.
• "the cathedral's massive buttresses"
• a source of defence or support.
• "she clung to her shrinking faith as a buttress against despair"
buttress
verb
• provide (a building or structure) with buttresses.
• "we buttressed the wall as it was showing signs of cracking and collapse"
• increase the strength of or justification for; reinforce.
• "authority was buttressed by religious belief"
Similar:
strengthen,
reinforce,
fortify,
support,
prop up,
bolster up,
shore up,
underpin,
cement,
brace,
uphold,
confirm,
defend,
maintain,
back up,
buoy up,
Origin:
Middle English: from Old French (ars) bouterez ‘thrusting (arch)’, from boter ‘to strike or thrust’ (see butt1).
