Buttress

But·tress

Buttress

n.
  1. A projecting mass of masonry, used for resisting the thrust of an arch, or for ornament and symmetry. (Arch.)
  2. Anything which supports or strengthens.

Phrases & Compounds
Flying buttress
See Flying buttress.

Buttress

v. t.

imp. & p. p. Buttressed; p. pr. & vb. n. Buttressing

  1. To support with a buttress; to prop; to brace firmly.
    To set it upright again, and to prop and buttress it up for duration.