n.

1. 支撑（物）；【建】拱壁；扶壁
   I find your thesis lacking the buttress that it should have.

   我认为你的论文缺乏它所应有的支撑。

vt.

1. 用扶壁支撑；扶持
   The roof of this temple is buttressed by six giant pillars.

   这座神庙的屋顶是靠六根大柱子支撑的。

n.

1. a projecting support of stone or brick built against a wall.
2. a projecting portion of a hill or mountain.

v.

▸support or strengthen:

authority was buttressed by religious belief.