|
(), n.[AS. bolster; akin to Icel. blstr, 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 to support the head of a person lying on a bed; -- generally laid under the pillows. And here I'll fling the pillow, there the bolster, This way the coverlet, another way the sheets. Shak. 2. A pad, quilt, or anything used to hinder pressure, support any part of the body, or make a bandage sit easy upon a wounded part; a compress. This arm shall be a bolster for thy head. Gay. 3. Anything arranged to act as a support, as in various forms of mechanism, etc. 4. (Saddlery) A cushioned or a piece part of a saddle. 5. (Naut.) (a) A cushioned or a piece of soft wood covered with tarred canvas, placed on the trestletrees and against the mast, for the collars of the shrouds to rest on, to prevent chafing. (b) Anything used to prevent chafing. 6. A plate of iron or a mass of wood un Bol"ster v. t.[imp. & p. p.Bolstered (); p. pr. & vb. n.Bolstering.] 1. To support with a bolster or pillow. S. Sharp. 2. To support, hold up, or maintain with difficulty or unusual effort; -- often with up. To bolster baseness. Drayton. Shoddy inventions designed to bolster up a factitious pride. Compton Reade. スポンサード リンク
|