or ARCH-BOUTANT, in Architecture, an arch, or part of an arch, abutting against the reins of a vault to prevent its giving way.

A Pillar Boutant, is a large chain or pile of stone, made to support a wall, terrace, or vault.

BOUTÉ, in the manege. A horse is called bouté, when his legs are in a straight line from the knee to the coronet: short-jointed horses are apt to be bouté, and on the other hand long-jointed horses are not.

BOUTS-RIMES, a popular term in the French poetry; signifying certain rhymes, disposed in order, and given to a poet together with a subject, to be filled up with verses ending in the same words, and the same order. The invention of the bouts-rimes is owing to one Du Lot, a poet, in the year 1649. In fixing the bouts, it is usual to choose such as seem the remotest, and have the least connexion.

Some good authors fancy that these rhymes are of all others the easiest, that they assist the invention, and furnish the most new thoughts of all others. Sarasin has a poem on the defeat of the bouts-rimes. The academy of Lanternists at Thoulouse have contributed towards keeping in countenance the bouts-rimes, by proposing each year a set of fourteen, to be filled up on the glories of the grand monarque; the victorious sonnet to be rewarded with a fine medal. An instance hereof may be given in the following one, filled up by P. Commire.

Tout est grand dans le roi, l'aspect seul de son buste Rend nos fiers ennemis plus froids que des glaçons. Et Guillaume n'attend que le temps des moissons, Pour se voir succomber sous un bras si robuste. Qu'on ne nous vante plus les miracles d'Auguste; Louis de bien régner lui ferroit des leçons: Horace en vain l'égale aux dieux dans ses chansons: Moins que mon héros il étoit sage et juste, &c.