1.noun
A structure built to support the lateral pressure of an arch or span, e.g. at the ends of a bridge.
- 'This carefully orchestrated progression was upset soon after it was created: in January 1938, ice pushed the Honeymoon Bridge off of its abutments, causing it to collapse.'
- 'The key section was the middle span, a 154 foot piece that sat on two stone abutments that were put up after an extensive fill had narrowed the river valley.'
- 'Hummelstown brownstone traversed the gamut of the masonry trades from foundation to lintel, mansion to privy, bridge abutment to gravestone, skyscraper to curbstone, and so on for seemingly endless uses.'
- 'He admits that he sees the world as hopeless and has considered driving his motorcycle into a bridge abutment.'
- 'For example, in an arched bridge, the force of compression is pushed along the curve of the arch toward the abutments.'
- 'Bridgework involves the preparation of supporting teeth known as abutments.'
- 'Although the waters of the Baker River were well up on the Smith Bridge, the bridge stayed on its abutments.'
- 'They can be configured for linear, square, or rectangular excavations to depths of 30 ft. or more for such uses as pipelines, pits, retaining walls, and bridge abutments.'
- 'As I returned up-stream, I was amazed to see that I had walked right past a bridge abutment.'
- 'Bemoaning his mangled truck, which was upside down in a ditch when officers arrived, Surachai told police that he had been returning home from Sattahip when he collided with a bridge abutment and lost control.'
- 'efficient abutment is needed at this point'
- 'a mirror with a delicate border of engraved blue glass in ten sections, each abutment masked by a thin metal strip'
((n.) State of abutting.|--|(n.) That on or against which a body abuts or presses|--|(n.) The solid part of a pier or wall, etc., which receives
the thrust or lateral pressure of an arch, vault, or strut.|--|(n.) A fixed point or surface from which resistance or
reaction is obtained, as the cylinder head of a steam engine, the
fulcrum of a lever, etc.|--|(n.) In breech-loading firearms, the block behind the barrel
which receives the pressure due to recoil.|--|)
noun
1.
Architecture, Civil Engineering.
a masonry mass supporting and receiving the thrust of part of an arch or vault.
a force that serves to abut an arch or vault.
a mass, as of masonry, receiving the arch, beam, truss, etc., at each end of a bridge.
a mass or structure for resisting the pressure of water on a bridge, pier, or the like.
each of the parts of a canyon or the like receiving the thrusts of an arch dam.
a structure for absorbing tensions from reinforcing strands for concrete being prestressed.
2.
the place where projecting parts meet; junction.
3.
Dentistry. a tooth or tooth root that supports or stabilizes a bridge, denture, or other prosthetic appliance.