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- DictionaryBol·ster/ˈbōlstər/
noun
- 1. a long, thick pillow that is placed under other pillows for support.
verb
- 1. support or strengthen; prop up: "the fall in interest rates is starting to bolster confidence"
Definition of bolster verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
Also called bolster plate. a circular casting on the side of a vessel, through which an anchor chain passes.
verb [ T ] uk / ˈbəʊlstə r/ us. Add to word list. Add to word list. to make something stronger by supporting or encouraging it: Strong sales are bolstering the economy. (Definition of bolster from the Cambridge Learner's Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)
verb. These are words and phrases related to bolster. Click on any word or phrase to go to its thesaurus page. Or, go to the definition of bolster. More timbers are needed to bolster the roof of the mine. Synonyms. support. brace. prop up. hold up. buttress. reinforce. maintain. sustain. shore up. shoulder. cradle. Antonym. weigh down.
- English
- Dutch
- Middle English
- Old English
- Swedish
Alternative forms
1. boulster 2. bowster, bouster, boster (Scotland)
Etymology
From Middle English bolster, bolstre, from Old English bolster (“pillow”), from Proto-West Germanic *bolstr, from Proto-Germanic *bulstraz (“pillow, cushion”). Cognate with Scots bowster (“bolster”), West Frisian bulster (“mattress”), Dutch bolster (“husk, shell”), German Polster (“bolster, pillow, pad”), Swedish bolster (“soft mattress, bolster”), Icelandic bólstur (“pillow”).
Pronunciation
1. (UK) IPA(key): /ˈbəʊlstə/ 2. (US) IPA(key): /ˈboʊlstɚ/
Etymology
From Middle Dutch bolster, ultimately from Proto-Germanic *bulstraz. This etymologyis incomplete. You can help Wiktionary by elaborating on the origins of this term.
Pronunciation
1. IPA(key): /ˈbɔl.stər/ 2. Hyphenation: bol‧ster 3. Rhymes: -ɔlstər
Noun
bolster m (plural bolsters, diminutive bolstertje n) 1. a bur, a spiny cupule, often of a chestnut
Alternative forms
1. bolstre, bolstere, bowstur (northern)
Etymology
From Old English bolster, from Proto-Germanic *bulstraz.
Pronunciation
1. IPA(key): /ˈbɔlstər/
Etymology
From Proto-Germanic *bulstraz.
Pronunciation
1. IPA(key): /ˈbol.ster/, [ˈboɫ.ster]
Noun
bolster m 1. pillow, cushion 1.1. Tō slāpenne iċ þearf simle hūru twēġa bolstra. 1.1.1. I always need at least two pillowsto sleep.
Etymology
From Old Swedish bulster, bolster, from Old Norse bólstr, bulstr, from Proto-Germanic *bulstraz, from Proto-Indo-European *bʰelǵʰ- (“bag, pillow, paunch”).
Noun
bolster n 1. a bolster (a large cushion or pillow)
Further reading
1. bolster in Svenska Akademiens ordlista (SAOL) 2. bolster in Svensk ordbok (SO) 3. bolster in Svenska Akademiens ordbok (SAOB) 4. bolster in Elof Hellquist, Svensk etymologisk ordbok(1st ed., 1922) 5. bulster in Knut Fredrik Söderwall, Ordbok öfver svenska medeltids-språket, del 1: A-L
Define bolster. bolster synonyms, bolster pronunciation, bolster translation, English dictionary definition of bolster. n. A long narrow pillow or cushion. tr.v. bol·stered , bol·ster·ing , bol·sters 1. To support or prop up with or as if with a long narrow pillow or cushion....
From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English bol‧ster1 /ˈbəʊlstə $ ˈboʊlstər/ (also bolster up) verb [ transitive] 1 to help someone to feel better and more positive SYN boost He is making a bold attempt to bolster the territory’s confidence. 2 to improve something SYN boost his efforts to bolster his career → See Verb table ...
