Dictionary
Find
in
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Translations

Click to move up the list of words
bologna
bolognese
bolometer
bolsa
Bolshevik
Bolshevism
bolshie
bolson
bolster (1)
bolster (2)
bolt (1)
bolt (2)
bolt-action
bolt ladder
bolt-on
bolted climb
bolter
Click to move down the list of words
Print Preview
See pronunciation key
Search for "bolster" in all of MSN Encarta
E-mail this entry
Blog about this entry on MSN Spaces
Download the MSN Encarta Right-Click Dictionary

bolster (1)

bol·ster [ bṓlstər ]


transitive verb  (past and past participle bol·stered, present participle bol·ster·ing, 3rd person present singular bol·sters)
Definition:
 
1. encourage something through support: to strengthen something through support or encouragement

2. keep something raised: to prop something up



noun  (plural bol·sters)
Definition:
 
1. long cylindrical pillow: a long firm cylindrical pillow placed under other pillows to support them

2. mechanical engineering pad preventing friction: a pad or cushion affixed to machinery to prevent friction or give support

3. architecture horizontal supporting timber: a short horizontal timber positioned between the top of a post and the beam it supports, to spread the load of the post

[ Old English, "cushion" < Indo-European, "to swell"]

bol·ster·er noun
Advertisement

Also on Encarta
Englishtown: Learn English online
Our Partners
Also on MSN
Encarta Message Boards (© Rubberball/Jupiterimages)
Shopping
© 2009 Microsoft