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| but·tress [ búttrəss ] |
noun (plural but·tress·es) |
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| Definition: |
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1. support for wall: a solid structure, usually made of brick or stone, that is built against a wall to support it
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2. somebody or something that gives support: somebody or something that acts as a source of support, help, or reinforcement
  The constitution is a buttress of our civil rights.
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3. projecting rock: a large projecting rock mass that appears to support the rock above it
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4. hoof part: the pointed horny rear part of a horse's hoof
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transitive verb (past and past participle but·tressed, present participle but·tress·ing, 3rd person present singular but·tress·es) |
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| Definition: |
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1. support wall: to support a wall with a buttress
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2. support or reinforce something: to support, help, or reinforce something, especially an argument, analysis, or point of view
He buttressed his views with lengthy quotations from the scriptures.
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| [14th century. < Old French (ars) bouterez "thrusting (arch)" < bouter (see butt1)] |
