BOLSTER

Definitions for the word, bolster

(n.) A block of wood on the carriage of a siege gun, upon which the breech of the gun rests when arranged for transportation.

(n.) 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.

(n.) A cushioned or a piece part of a saddle.

(n.) A long pillow or cushion, used to support the head of a person lying on a bed; -- generally laid under the pillows.

(n.) 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.

(n.) A plate of iron or a mass of wood under the end of a bridge girder, to keep the girder from resting directly on the abutment.

(n.) A transverse bar above the axle of a wagon, on which the bed or body rests.

(n.) Anything arranged to act as a support, as in various forms of mechanism, etc.

(n.) Anything used to prevent chafing.

(n.) That part of a knife blade which abuts upon the end of the handle.

(n.) The crossbeam forming the bearing piece of the body of a railway car; the central and principal cross beam of a car truck.

(n.) The metallic end of a pocketknife handle.

(n.) the perforated plate in a punching machine on which anything rests when being punched.

(n.) The rolls forming the ends or sides of the Ionic capital.

(v. t.) To support with a bolster or pillow.

(v. t.) To support, hold up, or maintain with difficulty or unusual effort; -- often with up.