/seuh pawr"teuhr, -pohr"-/ , n.
1. a person or thing that supports.
2. an adherent, follower, backer, or advocate.
3. a device, usually of elastic cotton webbing, for supporting some part of the body, esp. a jockstrap.
4. a garter, esp. one attached to a garter belt or girdle.
5. Heraldry. either of two human or animal figures flanking and supporting an escutcheon in an achievement of arms.
[ 1400-50; late ME; see SUPPORT, -ER 1 ]