Buttress
WordNet
noun
(1) A support usually of stone or brick; supports the wall of a building
verb
(2) Make stronger or defensible
"Buttress your thesis"
(3) Reinforce with a buttress
"Buttress the church"
WiktionaryText
Etymology
From , from , from , from , cognate with Old Norse
Noun
- A brick or stone structure built against another structure to support it.
- Anything that serves to support something; a prop.
Verb
- To support something with, or as if with a buttress.
- To support something or someone by supplying evidence; to corroborate or substantiate.