/ ˈbʌtrəs; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
a stone or brick structure that supports a wall
■ verb
[ vn ] ( formal ) to support or give strength to sb/sth :
The sharp increase in crime seems to buttress the argument for more police officers on the street.
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French (ars) bouterez thrusting (arch), from boter to strike or thrust, of Germanic origin.