Pronunciation: s ə - ' po ̇ rt
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French supporter, from Late Latin supportare, from Latin, to transport, from sub- + portare to carry ― more at FARE
Date: 14th century
1 : to endure bravely or quietly : BEAR
2 a (1) : to promote the interests or cause of (2) : to uphold or defend as valid or right : ADVOCATE < support s fair play> (3) : to argue or vote for < support ed the motion to lower taxes> b (1) : ASSIST , HELP <bombers support ed the ground troops> (2) : to act with (a star actor) (3) : to bid in bridge so as to show support for c : to provide with substantiation : CORROBORATE < support an alibi>
3 a : to pay the costs of : MAINTAIN < support a family> b : to provide a basis for the existence or subsistence of <the island could probably support three ― A. B. C. Whipple> < support a habit>
4 a : to hold up or serve as a foundation or prop for b : to maintain (a price) at a desired level by purchases or loans also : to maintain the price of by purchases or loans
5 : to keep from fainting, yielding, or losing courage : COMFORT
6 : to keep (something) going
– sup · port · abil · i · ty \ s ə - ˌ po ̇ r-t ə - ' bi-l ə -t ē \ noun
– sup · port · able \ - ' po ̇ r-t ə -b ə l \ adjective
– sup · port · ive \ - ' po ̇ r-tiv \ adjective
– sup · port · ive · ness \ -n ə s \ noun
synonyms SUPPORT , UPHOLD , ADVOCATE , BACK , CHAMPION mean to favor actively one that meets opposition. SUPPORT is least explicit about the nature of the assistance given < supports waterfront development>. UPHOLD implies extended support given to something attacked < upheld the legitimacy of the military action>. ADVOCATE stresses urging or pleading < advocated prison reform>. BACK suggests supporting by lending assistance to one failing or falling <refusing to back the call for sanctions>. CHAMPION suggests publicly defending one unjustly attacked or too weak to advocate his or her own cause < championed the rights of children>.