n.
Pronunciation: ' b ə -tr ə s
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English butres, from Anglo-French ( arche ) boteraz thrusting (arch), ultimately from buter to thrust ― more at BUTT
Date: 14th century
1 : a projecting structure of masonry or wood for supporting or giving stability to a wall or building
2 : something that resembles a buttress: as a : a projecting part of a mountain or hill b : a horny protuberance on a horse's hoof at the heel ― see HOOF illustration c : the broadened base of a tree trunk or a thickened vertical part of it
3 : something that supports or strengthens <a buttress of the cause of peace>
– but · tressed \ -tr ə st \ adjective
buttress 1