noun / verb
shore
Support that holds something up or makes it stronger.
A wooden shore supports the damaged beam during repairs.
Etymology
The older word names a supporting prop. English retains the physical support and extends it figuratively to measures that strengthen a weak position.
More examples
- Steel shores hold the ceiling in place.
- Workers shore up the cracked wall before replacing the bricks.
- The extra funding shores up the hospital's finances.
Forms
shore · shores · shored · shoring
shoring noun — Temporary supports used during construction or repairs.