/ ˈbəʊlstə(r); NAmE ˈboʊl-/ verb , noun
■ verb
[ vn ] bolster sth (up) to improve sth or make it stronger :
to bolster sb's confidence / courage / morale
Falling interest rates may help to bolster up the economy.
■ noun
a long thick pillow that is placed across the top of a bed under the other pillows
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WORD ORIGIN
Old English , of Germanic origin; related to Dutch bolster and German Polster .