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   buttress

   /ˈbʌtrɪs/

   noun

   • 1. a structure of stone or brick built against a wall to strengthen or support it: "the cathedral's massive buttresses" Similar propsupportabutmentshorepierreinforcementstanchionstaystrut
   • ▪ a projecting portion of a hill or mountain.
   • 2. a source of defence or support: "she clung to her shrinking faith as a buttress against despair"

   verb

   • 1. provide (a building or structure) with buttresses: "we buttressed the wall as it was showing signs of cracking and collapse"
   • 2. increase the strength of or justification for; reinforce: "authority was buttressed by religious belief"

   Word Origin Middle English: from Old French (ars) bouterez ‘thrusting (arch)’, from boter ‘to strike or thrust’ (see butt1).

   Scrabble Points: 10

   • B

     3

   • U

     1

   • T

     1

   • T

     1

   • R

     1

   • E

     1

   • S

     1

   • S

     1

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