a block-like wood, metal, or concrete member that supports a bearing on top of a pier cap or abutment bridge seat It adjusts bearing heights (thus avoiding bridge-seat construction to the crown of the roadway), provides an area that may be ground to a precise elevation, or raises a bearing above moisture and debris that may collect on the bridge seat See also bridge pad
A bolster is a firm pillow shaped like a long tube which is sometimes put across a bed under the ordinary pillows. a long firm pillow, usually shaped like a tube
a transverse baulk of timber or steel to support long loads, such as timber, rail or metal products Usually found on single, twin or more recently bogie wagons Bolsters could be either fixed or swivelling See Caledonian Dgm 109, North Eastern Dgms D1, D2 & D3 for examples
If someone tries to bolster their position in a situation, they try to strengthen it. Britain is free to adopt policies to bolster its economy. = boost Bolster up means the same as bolster. an aid programme to bolster up their troubled economy
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
If you bolster something such as someone's confidence or courage, you increase it. Hopes of an early cut in interest rates bolstered confidence. = boost