BUT'TRESS, noun [This word appears to be composed of but, end, and truss, or some word of that family.] 1. A prop; a wall or abutment built archwise, serving to support another wall on the outside, when very high or loaded with a heavy superstructure. 2. Any prop or support. BUT'TRESS, verb transitive To support by a buttress; to prop.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI