any external prop or support built to steady a structure by opposing its outward thrusts, esp. a projecting support built into or against the outside of a masonry wall.
resounding or echoing, as sounds:
to weaken or reduce in force, intensity, effect, quantity, or value:
to deny; disown; renounce.
of, pertaining to, or of the nature of a preface:
to affect with sharp irritation and resentment, esp. by some wound to pride:
1610s, from M.Fr. mendacieux, from L. mendacium "a lie," from mendax (gen. mendacis) "lying, deceitful," related to menda "fault, defect, carelessness in writing" (cf. amend, mendicant), from PIE base *mend- "physical defect, fault." The sense evolution of mendax influenced by mentiri "to speak falsely,