contrafuerte

buttress

noun kohn-trah-FWEHR-teh Rare

Also means

mountain spur

Usage Note

Contrafuerte in architecture is a projecting mass of masonry that reinforces a wall against lateral thrust — equivalent to a flying buttress's pier. In geography, contrafuerte also denotes a lateral ridge or spur branching off from a mountain range. The plural is contrafuertes.

Examples

"Los contrafuertes de la catedral son impresionantes."

Natural Translation

The buttresses of the cathedral are impressive.

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