meaning of abutment
1. State of abutting.
2. That on or against which a body abuts or presses
3. The solid part of a pier or wall, etc. , which receives the thrust or lateral pressure of an arch, vault, or strut.
4. 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.
5. In breech-loading firearms, the block behind the barrel which receives the pressure due to recoil.
6. a masonry support that touches and directly receives thrust or pressure of an arch or bridge