Buttress
/ˈbʌtrəs/
nounverbB2
Definition
As a noun, a buttress is a structure that supports a building wall and stops it from falling or moving. As a verb, to buttress means to support or strengthen an idea, argument, or physical object. It often means giving extra help to keep something strong and steady.
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See It in Action
Noun: A structure built against a wall to support it
- •The old cathedral has large stone buttresses on its sides.
- •Builders added a buttress to stop the wall from falling.
- •The buttress helped the building stand during the strong storm.
Verb: To support or strengthen something, like an idea or object
- •The evidence buttresses the scientist’s theory.
- •His confidence was buttressed by years of experience.
- •The company buttressed its position with new investments.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of 'buttress' like 'help' or 'support,' but stronger and more physical—like a big arm holding up a wall
- ✓Picture a tall stone wall with large stone blocks leaning against it to keep it standing
- ✓It's the feeling when you lean on a strong friend who helps you not fall down
- ✓Sounds like 'BUTT-ress' → imagine a strong 'butt' pushing and holding something so it doesn't fall
- ✓In castles or old churches, you see big stone wings (buttresses) holding the walls steady against strong winds
- ✓NOT like 'stand' (which means to be upright by itself), a buttress is extra help from outside to keep something stable
- ✓NOT like 'support' in a weak sense—this is a very strong and solid help, often physical or very clear
- ✓As a verb, NOT like 'suggest' or 'say,' but 'buttress' means to give strong proof or help to an idea or plan
Try Other Words
- •Reinforce: to make something stronger (Use when talking about making structures or ideas stronger)
- •Prop up: to hold something up physically (Use for physical support, often temporary)
- •Strengthen: to make stronger (Use for ideas, feelings, or physical things)
- •Brace: to support or hold firmly (Use for physical or emotional support)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: No clear prefix or suffix; 'butt' + '-ress' (suffix forming nouns)
- •Etymology: From Old French 'bouterez,' from 'bouter' meaning to push or strike
- •Historical development: Originally meant a projection from a wall to push or support it, used in architecture since medieval times
- •Modern usage: Used both in architecture to mean physical support and in language to mean strengthening ideas or arguments
- •Interesting fact: Buttresses are very common in Gothic cathedrals to hold up tall, thin walls
Reflect & Connect
•How can the idea of a physical buttress help us understand support in friendships or teamwork?
•Can you think of a time when you had to buttress your own confidence or beliefs? How did you do it?
Fill in the blanks
1.The ancient church’s walls needed a ___ because they were very tall and thin.
2.When an argument is weak, extra facts can ___ it to make it stronger.
3.The builder added a ___ to the damaged wall to stop it from ___.
4.Her strong family helped ___ her during difficult times.
5.Unlike simple help, a ___ gives very strong and clear support.
6.The lawyer’s evidence ___ the case and convinced the jury.
7.To keep the bridge safe, engineers built ___ on both sides to ___ the structure.