Bolster \Bol"ster\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bolstered}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Bolstering}.] 1. To support with a bolster or pillow. --S. Sharp. 2. To support, hold up, or maintain with difficulty or unusual effort; -- often with up. To bolster baseness. --Drayton. Shoddy inventions designed to bolster up a factitious pride. --Compton Reade. Bolstered \Bol"stered\, a. 1. Supported; upheld. 2. Swelled out.