Abutment
Abutment (ȧ*but"ment) , noun
1.
State of abutting.
2.
(Architecture) That on or against which a body abuts or presses
(a)
(Architecture) The solid part of a pier or wall, etc., which receives the thrust or lateral pressure of an arch, vault, or strut.
(b)
(Architecture) A fixed point or surface from which resistance or reaction is obtained, as the cylinder head of a steam engine, the fulcrum of a lever, etc.
(c)
(Architecture) In breech-loading firearms, the block behind the barrel which receives the pressure due to recoil. — Gwilt