/
ˈbʌtrɪs/
n.
- a projecting support of stone or brick built against a wall.
- a projecting portion of a hill or mountain.
v.
support with buttresses.
▸support or strengthen:
authority was buttressed by religious belief.
Etymology
ME: from OFr. (ars) bouterez ‘thrusting (arch)’, from boter (see butt1).