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bolstering - 2 dictionary results

bol⋅ster

  [bohl-ster]
Use bolstering in a Sentence
–noun
1. a long, often cylindrical, cushion or pillow for a bed, sofa, etc.
2. anything resembling this in form or in use as a support.
3. any pillow, cushion, or pad.
4. Nautical.
a. Also called bolster plate. a circular casting on the side of a vessel, through which an anchor chain passes.
b. a timber used as a temporary support.
c. a beam for holding lines or rigging without chafing.
d. a bag filled with buoyant material, fitted into a small boat.
5. Metalworking. an anvillike support for the lower die of a drop forge.
6. Masonry.
a. a timber or the like connecting two ribs of a centering.
b. a chisel with a blade splayed toward the edge, used for cutting bricks.
7. Carpentry. a horizontal timber on a post for lessening the free span of a beam.
8. a structural member on which one end of a bridge truss rests.
–verb (used with object)
9. to support with or as with a pillow or cushion.
10. to add to, support, or uphold (sometimes fol. by up): They bolstered their morale by singing. He bolstered up his claim with new evidence.
Origin:
bef. 1000; ME bolstre (n.), OE bolster; c. ON bolstr, D bolster, G Polster

Related forms:
bol⋅ster⋅er, noun

Synonyms:
1. See cushion. 10. strengthen, sustain, aid, reinforce, fortify.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To bolstering
bol·ster   (bōl'stər)   
n.  A long narrow pillow or cushion.
tr.v.   bol·stered, bol·ster·ing, bol·sters
  1. To support or prop up with or as if with a long narrow pillow or cushion.
  2. To buoy up or hearten: Visitors bolstered the patient's morale.

[Middle English, from Old English; see bhelgh- in Indo-European roots.]
bol'ster·er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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