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Bolster vs Prop - What's the difference?

bolster | prop |

As nouns the difference between bolster and prop

is that bolster is a large cushion or pillow while prop is an object placed against or under another, to support it; anything that supports or prop can be (theater|film) an item placed on a stage or set to create a scene or scenario in which actors perform contraction of "property" or prop can be the propeller of an aircraft or prop can be a proposition, especially on an election-day ballot.

As verbs the difference between bolster and prop

is that bolster is to brace, reinforce, secure, or support while prop is to support or shore up something.

bolster

English

Alternative forms

* * (Scotland)

Noun

(en noun)
  • A large cushion or pillow.
  • * Shakespeare
    • And here I'll fling the pillow, there the bolster , / This way the coverlet, another way the sheets.
  • A pad, quilt, or anything used to hinder pressure, support part of the body, or make a bandage sit easy upon a wounded part; a compress.
  • * John Gay
    • This arm shall be a bolster for thy head.
  • A small spacer located on top of the axle of horse-drawn wagons which give the front wheels enough clearance to turn.
  • A short, horizontal, structural timber between a post and a beam for enlarging the bearing area of the post and/or reducing the span of the beam. Sometimes also called a pillow or cross-head (Australian English).
  • The perforated plate in a punching machine on which anything rests when being punched.
  • The part of a knife blade that abuts upon the end of the handle.
  • The metallic end of a pocketknife handle.
  • (label) The rolls forming the ends or sides of the Ionic capital.
  • A block of wood on the carriage of a siege gun, upon which the breech of the gun rests when arranged for transportation.

    • Synonyms

    * Dutch wife

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To brace, reinforce, secure, or support.

    • Anagrams

    * ----

    prop

    English

    Etymology 1

    Akin to German Pfropfen and Danish proppe, compare Latin

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • An object placed against or under another, to support it; anything that supports.
    • They stuck a block of wood under it as a prop .
  • (rugby) The player who is next to the hooker in a scrum.
  • One of the seashells in the game of props.

    • Verb

    (propp)
  • To support or shore up something.
    • Try using a phone book to prop up the table where the foot is missing.

    Etymology 2

    Abbreviation of property.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (theater, film) An item placed on a stage or set to create a scene or scenario in which actors perform. Contraction of "property".
    • They used the trophy as a prop in the movie.
    Usage notes
    * In stagecraft, usually the term (term) is reserved for an object with which an actor or performer interacts (e.g., a glass, a book or a weapon). Larger items adding to the scene, (e.g. chairs) are considered part of the set. * Props are often non-functional. A prop that is required to function is a "practical" prop.

    Etymology 3

    Abbreviation of propeller.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The propeller of an aircraft.

    • Etymology 4

    Abbreviation of proposition.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A proposition, especially on an election-day ballot.
    • Derived terms
    * prop wash * warm prop ----