bolster

Word family

bol·ster1 /ˈbəʊlstə $ ˈboʊlstər/ (also bolster up) verb [transitiveT]

1 HELPto help someone to feel better and more positive 增强；激励 SYN boost

He is making a bold attempt to bolster the territory’s confidence.

他正在采取大胆行动以提振辖区信心。

2 SUPPORT A PERSON, GROUP, OR PLANto improve something 改进 SYN boost

his efforts to bolster his career

他为发展事业所付出的努力

Examples from the Corpus

bolster• Timman needs to win a game to bolster his confidence.• Meanwhile, Ezra's secret career as a pornographer is bolstering his self-confidence and libido, stoking passion between him and Carol.• James Hogg in 1894 called for creation of the railroad to bolster prison operations.• New camera and film technology will bolster the company's market share.• Additional soldiers were sent to bolster the defenses at two naval bases.• The need for stronger, religion-based morality and patriotism to bolster the nation.• The attempt to bolster the pay claim with the fear of closures failed.• None the less, an improved second half performance will bolster their confidence for next week's Division 2 crunch game against Ballymena.• He accused Kremlin hawks of a conspiracy to keep the war going to bolster their own power and thwart his ambitions.• But several factors bolster their position.• He was seventy and continually engaged in frenetic schemes to bolster up his old age.

bolster2 noun [countableC]

a long firm pillow, usually shaped like a tube 长枕，垫枕

Examples from the Corpus

bolster• She bunches her raincoat like a bolster to make herself more comfortable.• With the exact position established, the outline can be scored with sharp blows from a club hammer and bolster chisel.

Origin bolster2

Old English

bol·ster1 verbbolster2 noun

Chinese

Syllable

Corpus