bolster
- bolster
-
I. noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old English belg bag — more at belly
Date: before 12th century
1. a long pillow or cushion
2. a structural part designed to eliminate friction or provide support or bearing
II. transitive verb
(bolstered; bolstering)
Date: 15th century
1. to support with or as if with a bolster ; reinforce
2. to give a boost to <
news that bolstered his spirits
>
• bolsterer noun
New Collegiate Dictionary.
2001.
Synonyms:
Look at other dictionaries:
Bolster — Bol ster (b[=o]l st[ e]r; 110), n. [AS. bolster; akin to Icel. b[=o]lstr, Sw. & Dan. bolster, OHG. bolstar, polstar, G. polster; from the same root as E. bole stem, bowl hollow vessel. Cf. {Bulge}, {Poltroon}.] 1. A long pillow or cushion, used… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Bolster — Bol ster, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bolstered}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Bolstering}.] 1. To support with a bolster or pillow. S. Sharp. [1913 Webster] 2. To support, hold up, or maintain with difficulty or unusual effort; often with up. [1913 Webster] To… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
bolster — bol·ster / bōl stər/ vt: to use evidence usu. improperly to give weight to (evidence already introduced) Merriam Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam Webster. 1996. bolster … Law dictionary
bolster — [bōl′stər] n. [ME & OE, akin to ON bolstr, Ger polster; ult. < IE base * bhel , to swell: see BALL1] 1. a long, narrow cushion or pillow 2. a soft pad for easing pressure on any part of the body 3. any bolsterlike object or support; specif.,… … English World dictionary
Bolster — Bolster. См. Штамподержатель. (Источник: «Металлы и сплавы. Справочник.» Под редакцией Ю.П. Солнцева; НПО Профессионал , НПО Мир и семья ; Санкт Петербург, 2003 г.) … Словарь металлургических терминов
bolster up — index corroborate, reassure Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 … Law dictionary
bolster — vb prop, *support, sustain, buttress, brace Analogous words: *strengthen, reinforce, fortify: uphold, champion (see SUPPORT) … New Dictionary of Synonyms
bolster — [v] help aid, assist, bear up, boost, brace, buck up, bulwark, buoy, buttress, carry, cushion, help, hold up, maintain, pick up, pillow, prop, reinforce, shore up, stay, strengthen, support, sustain, uphold; concept 110 Ant. hinder, not support,… … New thesaurus
bolster — ► NOUN 1) a long, firm pillow. 2) a part in a tool, vehicle, or structure providing support or reducing friction. ► VERB ▪ support or strengthen. DERIVATIVES bolsterer noun. ORIGIN Old English … English terms dictionary
Bolster — A bolster (etymology: Middle English, derived from Old English, and before that the Germanic word bulgstraz ) is a long narrow pillow or cushion filled with cotton, down, or fibre. In western countries, it is usually placed at the head of bed and … Wikipedia
bolster — [[t]bo͟ʊlstə(r)[/t]] bolsters, bolstering, bolstered 1) VERB If you bolster something such as someone s confidence or courage, you increase it. [V n] Hopes of an early cut in interest rates bolstered confidence. [V n] ...a number of measures… … English dictionary