n. Something on which to rest the head while reclining; specifically, a long cylindrical cushion stuffed with feathers, hair, straw, or other materials, and generally laid under the pillows.n. Something resembling a bolster in form or use.n. A pad or quilt used to prevent pressure, support any part of the body, or make a bandage sit easy upon a wounded part; a compress.n. A cushioned or padded part of a saddle.n. Naut., pl., pieces of soft wood covered with tarred canvas, placed under the eyes of the rigging to prevent chafing from the sharp edge of the trestletrees.n. A part of a bridge intervening between the truss and the masonry.n. In cutlery, the part of such instruments and tools as knives, chisels, etc., which adjoins the end of the handle; also, a metallic plate on the end of a pocket-knife handle.n. In gunnery, a block of wood on the carriage of a siege-gun, upon which the breech of the gun rests when it is moved.n. In architecture, same as baluster, 2.n. In music, the raised ridge which holds the tuning-pins of a piano.n. A cap-piece or short timber placed at the top of a post as a bearing for a string-piece.n. A perforated wooden block upon which sheet-metal is placed to be punched.n. A sleeve-bearing through which a spindle passes.n. In stone-sawing, one of the loose wooden blocks against which the ends of the pole of the saw rest.n. A bar placed transversely over the axle of a wagon or in the middle of a car-truck to support the body.n. One of the transverse pieces of an archcentering, extending between the ribs and sustaining the voussoirs during construction.To support with a bolster.To prop; support; uphold; maintain: generally implying support of a weak, falling, or unworthy cause or object, or support based on insufficient grounds: now usually with up: as, to bolster up his pretensions with lies.To furnish with a bolster in dress; pad; stuff out with padding.n.