buttress
/ˈbʌtrəs/ (bre, ipa) · [bˈʌtrəs] /ˈbʌtrəs/ (ame, ipa) · [bˈʌtrəs] /ˈbə-trəs How to pronounce buttress (audio)/ (ame, mw) · /ˈbʌt.rəs/ (bre, ipa) · [bˈʌtrəs] /ˈbʌt.rəs/ (ame, ipa)
buttress — noun
- buttresssingular
- buttressesplural
1. A thick outside support built against a wall to help a large building stay firm.
A thick outside support built against a wall to help a large building stay firm.
Visitors stopped to photograph the stone buttress beside the abbey door.
stone buttress beside an exterior wall
Engineers checked each buttress before the cathedral reopened after the earthquake.
A narrow buttress held the old library wall through another winter storm.
The guide pointed out a flying buttress above the chapel roof.
用法筆記
Usually used for church, castle, or other large masonry buildings. Writers often mention the material or the exact part of the wall that the buttress steadies.
buttress — verb
- buttresspresent simple I / you / we / they
- buttresseshe / she / it
- buttressedpast simple
- buttressing-ing form
1. To strengthen a wall or similar structure by adding a solid outside support to i
To strengthen a wall or similar structure by adding a solid outside support to it.
Workers buttressed the river wall with concrete side supports before the rainy season.
buttress + structure + with + support
The crew buttressed the tunnel entrance after loose rocks fell overnight.
Restorers buttressed the cracked tower so the bells could ring safely.
Builders buttressed the sea wall before winter waves hit the harbor.
- weaken
to make a structure less strong
文法句型
buttress + structure
buttress + structure + with + material/support
用法筆記
Mostly used in architecture, engineering, and restoration writing. The object is usually a wall, tower, bridge, or entrance that needs extra structural strength.
2. To make an opinion, case, or plan more convincing by adding facts or reasons in
To make an opinion, case, or plan more convincing by adding facts or reasons in its favor.
Jabari buttressed his proposal with cost figures from three local suppliers.
buttress + proposal + with + evidence
The report buttresses the mayor's argument that buses need later service.
Lawyers buttressed their case with phone records and bank messages.
New survey results buttress the school's plan to add another science lab.
- undermine
to make a claim or plan seem weaker
文法句型
buttress + argument/claim/case
buttress + object + with + evidence/reasons
用法筆記
Common in formal writing about arguments, policies, and research. The object is usually a claim, case, plan, or proposal, often followed by 'with' plus the supporting detail.