n. [ OE. butrasse, boterace, fr. F. bouter to push; cf. OF. bouteret (nom. sing. and acc. pl. bouterez) buttress. See Butt an end, and cf. Butteris. ]
☞ When an external projection is used merely to stiffen a wall, it is a pier. [ 1913 Webster ]
Flying buttress.
v. t.
To set it upright again, and to prop and buttress it up for duration. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]