Etymology : Middle English, from Middle French supporter, from Late Latin supportare, from Latin, to carry, from sub- + portare to carry; more at FARE
Pronunciation : s&-'pOrt, -'port
Function : transitive verb
Date : 14th century
1. providing support; encouraging, comforting; able to bear a weight or load. supportingadj.
2. furnishing support and encouragement; "the anxious child needs supporting and accepting treatment from the teacher" [syn: encouraging].
3. capable of bearing a structural load; "a supporting wall" [syn: load-bearing(a) , supporting(a) ] the act of bearing the weight of or strengthening; "he leaned against the wall for support" [syn: support].
4. To bear by being under; to keep from falling; to uphold; to sustain, in a literal or physical sense; to prop up; to bear the weight of; as, a pillar supports a structure; an abutment supports an arch; the trunk of a tree supports the branches.
5. To endure without being overcome, exhausted, or changed in character; to sustain; as, to support pain, distress, or misfortunes.
6. To keep from failing or sinking; to solace under affictive circumstances; to assist; to encourage; to defend; as, to support the courage or spirits.
7. To assume and carry successfully, as the part of an actor; to represent or act; to sustain; as, to support the character of King Lear.
8. To furnish with the means of sustenance or livelihood; to maintain; to provide for; as, to support a family; to support the ministers of the gospel.
9. To carry on; to enable to continue; to maintain; as, to support a war or a contest; to support an argument or a debate.
10. To verify; to make good; to substantiate; to establish; to sustain; as, the testimony is not sufficient to support the charges; the evidence will not support the statements or allegations.
11. To vindicate; to maintain; to defend successfully; as, to be able to support one's own cause.
12. To uphold by aid or countenance; to aid; to help; to back up; as, to support a friend or a party; to support the present administration.
13. A attend as an honorary assistant; as, a chairman supported by a vice chairman; O'Connell left the prison, supported by his two sons.
14. The act, state, or operation of supporting, upholding, or sustaining.
15. That which upholds, sustains, or keeps from falling, as a prop, a pillar, or a foundation of any kind.
16. That which maintains or preserves from being overcome, falling, yielding, sinking, giving way, or the like; subsistence; maintenance; assistance; reënforcement; as, he gave his family a good support, the support of national credit; the assaulting column had the support of a battery. a military operation to strengthen a military force or aid in the performance of its mission; "they called for artillery support" the act of bearing the weight of or strengthening; "he leaned against the wall for support" aiding the cause or policy or interests of; "the president no longer had the support of his own party"; "they developed a scheme of mutual support" the activity of providing for or maintaining by supplying with money or necessities; "his support kept the family together"; "they gave him emotional support during difficult times" any device that bears the weight of another thing; "there was no place to attach supports for a shelf" supporting structure that holds up or provides a foundation; "the statue stood on a marble support" something providing immaterial support or assistance to a person or cause or interest; "the policy found little public support"; "his faith was all the support he needed"; "the team enjoyed the support of their fans" the financial means whereby one lives; "each child was expected to pay for their keep"; "he applied to the state for support"; "he could no longer earn his own livelihood" financial resources provided to make some project possible; "the foundation provided support for the experiment" play a subordinate role to ; "Olivier supported Gielgud beautifully in the second act" support materially or financially; "he does not support his natural children"; "The scholarship supported me when I was in college" give moral or psychological support, aid, or courage to; "She supported him during the illness"; "Her children always backed her up".
17. 1. In a film or play, a supporting actor or actress is one who has an important part, but not the most important part. the winner of the best supporting actress award. see also:
support.