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Glite Dictionary
abutment arch

abutment arch

9.0
An arch that rests on a strong wall at one or both ends to carry weight
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : arco de contrafuerte
  • The bridge was reinforced with a massive abutment arch on either side to support increased traffic.

Examples

  • Engineers recommended a new abutment arch to stabilize the old masonry structure.

  • The integrity of the abutment arch was carefully inspected after the earthquake.

  • The abutment arch supports the weight of the bridge.

  • Engineers designed the abutment arches to withstand heavy loads.

  • The bridge was reinforced with a massive abutment arch on either side to support increased traffic.

  • Engineers recommended a new abutment arch to stabilize the old masonry structure.

  • The integrity of the abutment arch was carefully inspected after the earthquake.

Synonyms

arch
vsabutment arch
41 3.5

A curved structure that spans an opening and supports weight

is a specific form supported at its ends that transfers load to supporting parts

Surface Forms

abutment arch singular
abutment arches plural

Morphology

abutment + arch

The meaning is directly compositional from 'abutment' (a support resisting lateral pressure) + 'arch' (an arched construction carrying loads), so a learner who knows both constituents can infer it refers to an arch supported by abutments. Although somewhat technical, the noun‑noun compound follows regular English compounding patterns and is cross‑linguistically transparent.

Etymology

Abutment arch comes from the image of an arch leaning on a strong abutment, a solid wall that takes the arch's weight and sends it into the ground. That's why the term means an arch made to 'support' or 'hold up' part of a bridge or building.