abutment

The story

1. Old French · derived fromaboutement
2. English todayabutment

First attested in 1644; engineering sense first attested in 1793. From Old French aboutement. Equivalent to abut + -ment.

First known use, by meaning

• First attested in the mid 17ᵗʰ century. The point of junction between two things, in particular a support, that abuts.
• First attested in the mid 18ᵗʰ century. The solid portion of a structure that supports the lateral pressure of an arch or vault.
• First attested in the mid 18ᵗʰ century. A construction that supports the ends of a bridge; a structure that anchors the cables on a suspension bridge.
• First attested in the mid 18ᵗʰ century. Something that abuts, or on which something abuts.