abutment

Etymology

First attested in 1644; engineering sense first attested in 1793. From Old French aboutement. Equivalent to abut + -ment.

noun

1. The point of junction between two things, in particular a support, that abuts.
2. (engineering, architecture) The solid portion of a structure that supports the lateral pressure of an arch or vault.
3. (engineering) A construction that supports the ends of a bridge; a structure that anchors the cables on a suspension bridge.
   Each of the bridges consists of six separate girder spans on brick abutments. 1959 May, “Talking of Trains: Bethnal Green alterations”, in Trains Illustrated, page 236
4. (engineering) The part of a valley or canyon wall against which a dam is constructed.
   Heavy rains have caused the dam's abutments to seep, raising concern over possible dam failure.
5. Something that abuts, or on which something abuts.
6. The state of abutting.
7. (architecture) That element that shares a common boundary or surface with its neighbor.
8. (dentistry) The tooth that supports a denture or bridge.
9. A fixed point or surface where resistance is obtained.
   The fulcrum acted as an abutment.