n. [ 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ When an external projection is used merely to stiffen a wall, it is a pier. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Anything which supports or strengthens. “The ground pillar and buttress of the good old cause of nonconformity.” South. [ 1913 Webster ]

Flying buttress. See Flying buttress. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Buttressed (&unr_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Buttressing. ] To support with a buttress; to prop; to brace firmly. [ 1913 Webster ]

To set it upright again, and to prop and buttress it up for duration. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]