state of abutting.-that on or against which a body abuts or presses-the solid part of a pier or wall, etc., which receives the thrust or lateral pressure of an arch, vault, or strut.-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.-in breech-loading firearms, the block behind the barrel which receives the pressure due to recoil.