Definition of Abutment

1. Noun. Point of contact between two objects or parts.

Generic synonyms: Point
Derivative terms: Abut

2. Noun. A masonry support that touches and directly receives thrust or pressure of an arch or bridge.
Generic synonyms: Support

Definition of Abutment

1. n. State of abutting.

Definition of Abutment

1. Noun. (context: chiefly of an object) The state of abutting. ¹

2. Noun. Something that abuts. ¹

3. Noun. The thing on which something abuts. ¹

4. Noun. The point of junction between two things that abut. ¹

5. Noun. (context: architecture) That element that shares a common boundary or surface with its neighbor. ¹

6. Noun. (context: engineering) A construction that supports the end of a bridge. ¹

7. Noun. (context: engineering) A structure that anchors the cables on a suspension bridge. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Abutment

1. something that abuts [n -S]

Medical Definition of Abutment

1. The teeth on either side of a missing tooth. (08 Jan 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Abutment

abuses
abuses of discretion
abusing
abusio
abusion
abusions
abusive
abusively
abusiveness
abusivenesses
abustle
abut
abut on
abutilon
abutilons
abutment (current term)
abutment arch
abutments
abuts
abuy
abuzz
abvolate
abvolated

Literary usage of Abutment

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Structural Engineers' Handbook: Data for the Design and Construction of by Milo Smith Ketchum (1918)
"An abutment is a structure that supports one end of a bridge span and at ... An abutment abo usually protects the embankment from the scour of the stream. ..."

2. International Library of Technology: A Series of Textbooks for Persons by International Textbook Company (1908)
"The method of arriving; at the dimensions of an abutment are much the same as those used for piers. In the first place, the dimensions necessary to satisfy ..."

3. A Treatise on Masonry Construction by Ira Osborn Baker (1914)
"120. is known as the wing abutment or an abutment with splayed wings. 3. When <f of Fig. ... 128, which is called the U abutment. 4. If the wings of Fig. ..."

4. United States Supreme Court Reports by Lawyers Co-operative Publishing Company, United States Supreme Court (1885)
"... the defendants marked out the location for one pier and one abutment only, and wrongfully reduced the dimensions of all the said piers and abutments, ..."

5. The Design of Masonry Structures and Foundations by Clement Clarence Williams (1922)
"The choice of type of abutment depends upon the foundation ... Stability of an abutment.—In the present discussion, abutments for railroad bridges will be ..."

6. A Treatise on the Strength of Bridges and Roofs: With Practical Applications by Samuel Henry Shreve (1873)
"If a truss be 50 feet long, and is loaded from one abutment a distance of 30 feet, ... Beginning at the end of the load towards the unloaded abutment, ..."

7. Cyclopedia of Civil Engineering: A General Reference Work on Surveying by Frederick Eugene Turneaure, American Technical Society, American School of Correspondence (1909)
"Although the first condition of loading does not create so great a pressure against the left-hand abutment, yet the angle of the line of pressure is ..."

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