Library / English Dictionary

BUTTRESS

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

A support usually of stone or brick; supports the wall of a building

Synonyms:

buttress; buttressing

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("buttress" is a kind of...):

support (supporting structure that holds up or provides a foundation)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "buttress"):

arc-boutant; flying buttress (a buttress that stands apart from the main structure and connected to it by an arch)

Derivation:

buttress (reinforce with a buttress)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Make stronger or defensible

Example:

buttress your thesis

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "buttress" is one way to...):

beef up; fortify; strengthen (make strong or stronger)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Sense 2

Meaning:

Reinforce with a buttress

Example:

Buttress the church

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "buttress" is one way to...):

reenforce; reinforce (make stronger)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

buttress (a support usually of stone or brick; supports the wall of a building)

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