| 释义 |
bol·ster
I. \ˈbōlstə(r)\ noun
(-s)
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German bolstar bolster, Old Norse bolstr bolster, Old English belg bag — more at belly
1.
a. : a long pillow or cushion that is used to support the head of a person lying on a bed and that usually extends across the bed and is placed under the pillows and often under the sheets
b. : any soft pad, padding, cushion, or support resembling a bolster
2.
a. : a structural part of a mechanism designed to eliminate friction between moving parts, reduce pressure, deaden noise, or accomplish similar cushioning effects
b. : any structural part designed to afford support or give a bearing: as
(1) : a transverse bar above the axle of a wagon on which the bed of the wagon rests
(2) : a plate often with a hole in the center or T slots on its surface bolted to the top of a punch-press bed
(3) : the spindle bearing in the rail of a support or spinning frame and the support for the drafting rolls
(4) : the crossbeam forming the bearing piece of the body of a railroad car : the central and principal crossbeam of a railroad-car truck
(5) : a short timber or block set horizontally upon a post so as to secure a structural advantage (as attaining a greater bearing surface for girders, shortening their span, or allowing erection of an upper post between their ends)
(6) : the horizontal connection between the volutes of an Ionic capital
(7) : one of the small pieces of scantling nailed across the outer curve of the centering for an arch and taking the weight of the arch masonry
(8) : a crosspiece connecting the ribs of the centering that supports the voussoirs of an arch
3. : any contrivance that prevents chafing; specifically : a block of wood or a stuffed canvas used on shipboard to reduce or eliminate chafing between ropes or other rigging
4.
a. : the part of a knife blade that abuts upon the handle
b. : the metallic end of a pocketknife handle
5. : bunk II 2a
6.
a. : the slight excrescence at the junction of branch and stem or of the leafstalk and its axis
b. : the cupule of the hazelnut
c. : the husk of the English walnut
II. verb
(bolstered ; bolstered ; bolstering \-st(ə)riŋ\ ; bolsters)
transitive verb
1. : to support with or as if with a bolster — often used with up
< the sick man lay bolstered up in his bed >
2.
a. : to give a strong support or foundation to : give additional strength to : give a boost to : reinforce, uphold
< a convincing argument that was bolstered still more by the speaker's respected position >
< extra men will bolster already augmented dock details — Stanley Levey >
< bolstered his faltering courage >
< bolstering superstition and prejudice >
b. : to supply for the deficiencies of : supplement
< a diet that needs to be bolstered with more vitamin-rich foods >
3. : to cause to be increased (as in size, bulk, or intensity) through the addition or presence of something : to fill out : expand, pad
< a mattress that was bolstered to the bursting point >
: heighten, intensify
< a moonless night that bolstered the gloom of the forest >
intransitive verb
obsolete : to lie on the same bolster
Synonyms: see support |