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