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Webster's Dictionary (1865)

2 entries under this word

Support

Sup-pōrt′, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. [imp. & p. p. SUPPORTED; p. pr. & vb. n. SUPPORTING.] [Fr. supporter, Pr. supportar, Sp. soportar, sopportar, Pg. supportar, soportar, It. sopportare, Lat. supportare, from sub, under, and portare, to carry.]

Sense 1. To bear by being under; to keep from falling; to uphold; to sustain, in a literal or physical sense; as, a pillar supports a structure; an abutment supports an arch; the stem of a tree supports the branches.

Sense 2. To endure without being overcome, exhausted, or changed in character; to sustain; as, to support pain, distress, or misfortunes.

This fierce demeanor and his insolence The patience of a god could not support. Dryden.

Sense 3. To keep from fainting or sinking; to solace under afflictive circumstances; to assist; to encourage; to defend; as, to support the courage or spirits.

Sense 4. 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; to support the part assigned.

Sense 5. To furnish with the means of sustenance or livelihood; to maintain; as, to support a family; to support a son in college; to support the ministers of the gospel.

Sense 6. To carry on; to enable to continue; to maintain; as, to support government; to support a war or a contest; to support an argument or debate.

Sense 7. To verify; to make good; to substantiate; as, the testimony is not sufficient to support the charges; the evidence will not support the statements or allegations.

Sense 8. To vindicate; to maintain; to defend successfully; as, to be able to support one's own cause.

Sense 9. To uphold by aid or countenance; as, to support a friend or a party; to support the administration.

Sense 10. To attend as an honorary assistant; as, a chairman supported by a vice-chairman; O'Connell left the prison, supported by his two sons.

To support arms (Mil.), to hold the musket vertically at the left shoulder, supported by having the hammer rest on the left forearm, which is passed across the breast.

Synonyms—To maintain; endure; verify; substantiate; countenance; patronize; help; back; second; succor; relieve; uphold; encourage; favor; nurture; nourish; cherish; shield; defend; protect; stay; assist; forward.

Sup-pōrt', n.

noun

n. [Fr. support. See supra.]

Sense 1. The act or operation of supporting, upholding, or sustaining.

Sense 2. That which upholds, sustains, or keeps from falling, as a prop, a pillar, a foundation of any kind.

Sense 3. That which maintains or preserves from being overcome, failing, yielding, sinking, giving way, and the like; subsistence; maintenance.

Points of support (Arch.), the collected areas on the plan, of the piers, walls, columns, and the like, upon which an edifice rests, or by which it is supported. Brande.—

Right of support (Law), an easement or servitude by which the owner of a house has a right to rest his timbers on the walls of his neighbor's house. Kent.

Synonyms— Stay; prop; maintenance; subsistence; assistance; favor; countenance; encouragement; patronage; aid; help; succor; nutriment; sustenance; food.