a long, often cylindrical, cushion or pillow for a bed, sofa, etc.

anything resembling this in form or in use as a support.

any pillow, cushion, or pad.

Nautical .

Also called bolster plate. a circular casting on the side of a vessel, through which an anchor chain passes.

a timber used as a temporary support.

a beam for holding lines or rigging without chafing.

a bag filled with buoyant material, fitted into a small boat.

Metalworking . an anvillike support for the lower die of a drop forge.

Masonry .

a timber or the like connecting two ribs of a centering.

a chisel with a blade splayed toward the edge, used for cutting bricks.

Carpentry . a horizontal timber on a post for lessening the free span of a beam.

a structural member on which one end of a bridge truss rests.

to support with or as with a pillow or cushion.

to add to, support, or uphold (sometimes fol. by up )

They bolstered their morale by singing. He bolstered up his claim with new evidence.

verb

hinder , not support , obstruct , prevent , undermine

verb

aid , assist , bear up , boost , brace , buck up , bulwark , buoy , buttress , carry , cushion , help , hold up , maintain , pick up , pillow , prop , reinforce , shore up , stay , strengthen , support , sustain , uphold , maintain.--n. cushion , pad , prop up