B2 verb Formel

buttress

/ˈbʌtrəs/

To provide physical support to a structure or to strengthen an argument, idea, or system with evidence or additional resources. It implies making something more stable or harder to defeat by adding reinforcement.

Exemples

3 sur 5
1

The workers had to buttress the basement walls after the heavy rains caused the ground to shift.

The workers had to reinforce the basement walls after the heavy rains caused the ground to shift.

2

The legal team sought expert testimony to buttress their claims of professional negligence.

The legal team sought expert testimony to strengthen their claims of professional negligence.

3

I'm going to need a few more facts to buttress my excuse for being late to the party.

I'm going to need a few more facts to support my excuse for being late to the party.

Famille de mots

Nom
buttress
Verb
buttress
Adjectif
buttressed
Apparenté
buttressing
💡

Astuce mémo

Think of a 'flying buttress' on a large cathedral. It reaches out like an arm to hold the wall up so it doesn't fall down.

Quiz rapide

The scientist presented several peer-reviewed studies to ________ his controversial hypothesis.

Correct !

La bonne réponse est : buttress

Exemples

1

The workers had to buttress the basement walls after the heavy rains caused the ground to shift.

everyday

The workers had to reinforce the basement walls after the heavy rains caused the ground to shift.

2

The legal team sought expert testimony to buttress their claims of professional negligence.

formal

The legal team sought expert testimony to strengthen their claims of professional negligence.

3

I'm going to need a few more facts to buttress my excuse for being late to the party.

informal

I'm going to need a few more facts to support my excuse for being late to the party.

4

In her dissertation, she uses longitudinal data to buttress the theory that early intervention improves literacy.

academic

In her dissertation, she uses longitudinal data to support the theory that early intervention improves literacy.

5

The CEO decided to buttress the company's market position by acquiring two smaller competitors.

business

The CEO decided to reinforce the company's market position by acquiring two smaller competitors.

Famille de mots

Nom
buttress
Verb
buttress
Adjectif
buttressed
Apparenté
buttressing

Collocations courantes

buttress an argument to provide evidence for a point of view
buttress the economy to take measures to stabilize financial systems
buttress a claim to provide proof for an assertion
buttress a wall to physically reinforce a vertical structure
buttress support to increase the amount of backing for a cause

Phrases Courantes

buttress against

to provide protection or support against an external force

flying buttress

a specific architectural support common in Gothic churches

buttress up

to give temporary or additional support to something failing

Souvent confondu avec

buttress vs bolster

While similar, 'bolster' is often used for morale or confidence, whereas 'buttress' implies a more rigid, structural, or evidentiary support.

📝

Notes d'usage

Use 'buttress' when you want to describe a formal or academic way of making a case stronger. It is more sophisticated than 'help' or 'support'.

⚠️

Erreurs courantes

Learners often think 'buttress' is only for physical buildings; however, its most common use in modern English is metaphorical, referring to arguments and theories.

💡

Astuce mémo

Think of a 'flying buttress' on a large cathedral. It reaches out like an arm to hold the wall up so it doesn't fall down.

📖

Origine du mot

Derived from the Old French 'boter', meaning 'to thrust or strike against', originally referring to the way a support pushes against a wall.

Modèles grammaticaux

transitive verb (requires a direct object) regular verb: buttressed (past), buttressing (present participle)
🌍

Contexte culturel

The term is deeply rooted in European architectural history, specifically the Gothic period, where buttresses allowed for taller walls and larger windows.

Quiz rapide

The scientist presented several peer-reviewed studies to ________ his controversial hypothesis.

Correct !

La bonne réponse est : buttress

Mots lis

complement

A2

A thing that completes or brings to perfection something else. In grammar, it refers to a word or phrase that follows a verb and provides more information about the subject or object.

compound

A2

Describes something that is made of two or more separate parts or elements joined together. It is often used to talk about words, sentences, or chemical substances that have multiple components.

conceive

A2

To form an idea, plan, or concept in the mind. It is also the medical term used to describe when a woman becomes pregnant.

confer

A2

To discuss something with other people in order to reach a decision or exchange ideas. It can also mean to officially give an honor, title, or degree to someone.

conform

A2

To behave according to rules, standards, or what is expected by a group of people. It means to fit in or act in a way that matches others.

consecutive

A2

Following one after another in a continuous series without any breaks. It describes things that happen in a logical order, like numbers (1, 2, 3) or days (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday).

consistency

A2

Consistency is the quality of always acting or behaving in the same way. it also describes how thick or smooth a liquid or substance is.

disclude

B1

Describing a state where someone or something is left out, omitted, or not allowed to participate in a group or activity. It refers to the condition of being kept apart from a whole or a set.

antiformous

B1

Describes a shape or structure that is curved or folded upwards like an arch. It is most often used in geology and geometry to describe a convex surface.

interspect

B1

Describing a person who is thoughtful and focused on their own internal thoughts and feelings. It refers to the act of looking inward to examine one's own emotions and motives rather than focusing on external things.

C'tait utile ?
Pas encore de commentaires. Soyez le premier à partager vos idées !

Commencez à apprendre les langues gratuitement

Commence Gratuitement