buttress

The definition of a buttress is a support for a building usually made of brick or stone.

(noun)

A stone wall built against a wall to support the building is an example of a buttress.

To buttress is to provide support for a building, or to provide support and justification for an argument or idea.

(verb)

When a wall is providing support for a building, this is an example of a situation where the wall is a buttress for the building.
When a fact supports a position or argument, this is an example of a fact that is a buttress for the argument.

See buttress in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a projecting structure, generally of brick or stone, built against a wall to support or reinforce it
anything like a buttress; support or prop

Origin: ME boteras < OFr bouterez, pl. of bouteret, flying buttress < buter: see butt

transitive verb

See buttress in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A structure, usually brick or stone, built against a wall for support or reinforcement.
Something resembling a buttress, as:
a. The flared base of certain tree trunks.
b. A horny growth on the heel of a horse's hoof.
Something that serves to support, prop, or reinforce: “The law is by its very nature a buttress of the status quo” (J. William Fulbright).

transitive verb but·tressed, but·tress·ing, but·tress·es

To support or reinforce with a buttress.
To sustain, prop, or bolster: “The author buttresses her analysis with lengthy dissections of several of Moore's poems” (Warren Woessner).

Origin:

Origin: Middle English buteras

Origin: , from Old French bouterez

Origin: , from bouter, to strike against

Origin: , of Germanic origin; see bhau- in Indo-European roots

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