■ verb
1》 bear all or part of the weight of.
2》 give assistance, encouragement, or approval to.
↘be actively interested in (a particular sports team).
↘[as adjective ~ing ] (of an actor or a role) of secondary importance to the leading roles in a play or film.
↘(of a pop or rock group or performer) function as a secondary act to (another) at a concert.
3》 provide with a home and the necessities of life.
↘be capable of sustaining.
4》 corroborate.
5》 endure; tolerate.
■ noun
1》 a person or thing that ~s.
↘the action of ~ing or the state of being ~ed.
↘corroborative evidence.
2》 assistance, encouragement, or approval.
Derivatives
~ability noun
~able adjective
Origin
ME: from OFr. ~er , from L. ~are , from sub- 'from below' + portare 'carry'.