Bolster

(20), n. [A-S. bolster, Icel. bôlstr, Sw. & Dan. bolster, O. H. Ger. bolstar, polstar, N. H. Ger. polster. Cf. L. Ger. boll, round, A-S. bolle, a round vessel. In Dutch, bolster is a husk or shell.] 1. A long pillow or cushion, used to support the head of persons lying on a bed;—generally laid under the pillows. And here I'll fling the pillow, there the bolster, This way the coverlets, another way the sheets. Shak. 2. A pad, or quilt, used to hinder pressure, support any part of the body, or make a bandage sit easy upon a wounded part; a compress. This arm shall be a bolster for thy head. Gay.

3. (Saddlery.) A cushioned or padded part of a saddle.
4. (Naut.) (a) A cushion or bag, filled with tarred canvas, or a piece of wood covered with tarred canvas, placed on the trestle-trees and against the mast, for the collars of the shrouds to rest on, to prevent chafing. (b.) Any similar thing used to keep ropes from being chafed. Totten.
5. The part of a bridge between the truss and the masonry.
6. The cross-beam forming the bearing-piece of a railway-car body; the principal cross-beam of a car-truck.
7. (Mech.) A smith's tool, consisting of a perforated piece of iron, used in punching holes and making bolts. Simmonds.
8. (Cutlery.) (a.) That part of a knife-blade which abuts upon the end of the handle. (b.) The metallic end of a pocket-knife handle. Francis.
9. (Arch.) The rolls forming the ends or sides of the Ionic capital. Francis.
10. (Mil.) A block of wood on the carriage of a siege-gun, upon which the breech of the gun rests when moving it from place to place. [See Illust. of Gun-carriage.]