bolster

Plural: bolsters

Noun

• a pillow that is often put across a bed underneath the regular pillows
• A large cushion or pillow, usually cylindrical in shape.
• A pad, quilt, or anything used to hinder pressure, support part of the body, or make a bandage sit easy upon a wounded part; a compress.
• A small spacer located on top of the axle of horse-drawn wagons that gives the front wheels enough clearance to turn.
• A short, horizontal structural timber between a post and a beam for enlarging the bearing area of the post and/or reducing the span of the beam.
• A beam in the middle of a railway truck, supporting the body of the car.
• The perforated plate in a punching machine on which anything rests when being punched.
• The part of a knife blade that abuts upon the end of the handle.
• The metallic end of a pocketknife handle.
• The rolls forming the ends or sides of the Ionic capital.
• A block of wood on the carriage of a siege gun, upon which the breech of the gun rests when arranged for transportation.
• That which supports or promotes; a catalyst.
• A wide-bladed cold chisel designed to split and shape bricks.

Verb

Verb Forms: bolstered, bolstering, bolsters

• To support or strengthen; to improve.
• support and strengthen
  • "bolster morale"
• prop up with a pillow or bolster
• add padding to
• To brace, reinforce, secure, or support.

Examples

• I needed a good word to BOLSTER my score after a few weak plays.

Synonyms

bolster up, long pillow, pad, Dutch wife, crosshead, hotdog pillow, pillow

Anagrams of bolster