I. ˈpräp noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English proppe, from Middle Dutch, stopper; akin to Middle Low German proppe stopper
1. : a rigid usually independent and often auxiliary vertical support: as
a. : a timber for holding up the roof of a mine
b. : a pole for keeping a clothesline from sagging down
c. : a pole or stake for holding up a plant
d. props plural : legs
e. : a fired-clay piece used as a support for a shelf in a kiln
2. : something on which one leans or depends for support or strength : stay
his son was his chief prop in old age
this side of religion which has … become the prop of advanced cultures and complex societies — W.W.Howells
a government prop keeping wheat from falling below a set level
knocks the props from under some critical theories — B.R.Redman
3. : prop forward
II. verb
( propped ; propped ; propping ; props )
Etymology: Middle English proppen, from proppe, n.
transitive verb
1.
a. : to prevent from falling, collapsing, sagging, or slipping by placing something under or against : shore up
sat with his chin propped in his hands
frame houses, some propped on stilts — American Guide Series: Pennsylvania
— often used with up
lay with his head propped up on a pillow
b. : to support by placing against something
prop a ladder against a wall
photographs on the mantel, propped up amid a clutter of china ornaments — Hamilton Basso
2. : to give support to (as by assisting, encouraging, upholding) : sustain , strengthen
emphasis on propping economic structures abroad, rather than unduly expanding military power — Biddle Survey
to prop up my morale … a top designer had done over my office — Gary Cooper
intransitive verb
Australia & Africa , of a draft animal, especially a horse : balk
Synonyms: see support
III. noun
( -s )
Etymology: origin unknown
: one of the seashells used in the game of props
IV. noun
( -s )
Etymology: by shortening
1. : property 4a
2. : an article, object, or device used to provide or aid in creating a realistic effect (as of a performance, exhibit, or narrative)
all the props of an espionage case are there — foreign agents, household traitors, stolen documents — J.P.Marquand
camels, which they hire to visitors as props for exotic snapshots — Mollie Panter-Downes
V. noun
( -s )
Etymology: by shortening
: propeller
VI. abbreviation
1. propeller
2. proper; properly
3. property
4. proposed; proposition
5. proprietary; proprietor