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Webster 1913 Edition

Buttress

But′tress

,
Noun.
[OE.
butrasse
,
boterace
, fr. F.
bouter
to push; cf. OF.
bouteret
(nom. sing. and acc. pl.
bouterez
) buttress. See
Butt
an end, and cf.
Butteris
.]
1.
(Arch.)
A projecting mass of masonry, used for resisting the thrust of an arch, or for ornament and symmetry.
☞ When an external projection is used merely to stiffen a wall, it is a pier.
2.
Anything which supports or strengthens.
“The ground pillar and buttress of the good old cause of nonconformity.”
South.
Flying buttress
.
See
Flying buttress
.

But′tress

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Buttressed
([GREEK]);
p. pr. & vb. n.
Buttressing
.]
To support with a buttress; to prop; to brace firmly.
To set it upright again, and to prop and
buttress
it up for duration.
Burke.

Webster 1828 Edition

Buttress

BUT'TRESS

,
Noun.
[This word appears to be composed of but,end, and truss, or some word of that family.]
1.
A prop; a wall or abutment built archwise, serving to support another wall on the outside, when very high or loaded with a heavy superstructure.
2.
Any prop or support.

BUT'TRESS

,
Verb.
T.
To support by a buttress; to prop.

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