Webster's English Dictionary

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buttress

1. but.tress \'b*-tr*s\ \-tr*st\ n [ME butres, fr. MF bouterez, fr. OF 
   boterez, fr. boter] 1: a projecting structure of masonry or wood for 
   supporting or giving stabi lity to a wall or building 2: something that 
   resembles a buttress : as  2a: a projecting part of a mountain or hill  2b: 
   a horny protuberance on a horse's hoof at the heel  2c: the broadened base 
   of a tree trunk or a thickened vertical part of it  - but.tressed aj
2. buttress vt : to furnish or shore up with a buttress