SUPPORT


Meaning of SUPPORT in English

I. sə-ˈpȯrt 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 sə-ˌpȯr-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē noun

• sup·port·able -ˈpȯr-tə-bəl adjective

• sup·port·ive -ˈpȯr-tiv adjective

• sup·port·ive·ness -nəs 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

II. noun

Date: 14th century

1.

a. : the act or process of supporting : the condition of being supported

b. : assistance provided by a company to users of its products

customer support

2. : one that supports — often used attributively

a support staff

3. : sufficient strength in a suit bid by one's partner in bridge to justify raising the suit

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.