/ krʌtʃ; NAmE / noun
1.
one of two long sticks that you put under your arms to help you walk after you have injured your leg or foot :
After the accident I spent six months on crutches .
2.
(usually disapproving ) a person or thing that gives you help or support but often makes you depend on them too much
3.
= crotch
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WORD ORIGIN
Old English crycc , cryc , of Germanic origin; related to Dutch kruk and German Krücke .