Buttress



GRE 蓝宝 Barron

解释

GRE 红宝书

• n. 拱墙, 拱壁; v. 支持

Webster Collegiate

I. noun

• Etymology: Middle English butres, from Anglo-French (arche) boteraz thrusting (arch), ultimately from buter to thrust — more at butt
• Date: 14th century
• 1. a projecting structure of masonry or wood for supporting or giving stability to a wall or building
• 2. something that resembles a buttress: as
  • a. a projecting part of a mountain or hill
  • b. a horny protuberance on a horse's hoof at the heel — see hoof illustration
  • c. the broadened base of a tree trunk or a thickened vertical part of it
• 3. something that supports or strengthens <a buttress of the cause of peace>
• ? buttressed adjective

II. transitive verb

• Date: 14th century
• to furnish or shore up with a buttress; also support, strengthen <arguments buttressed by solid facts>

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