support

support (səˈpɔːt)
—vb
1.	to carry the weight of
2.	to bear or withstand (pressure, weight, etc)
3.	to provide the necessities of life for (a family, person, etc)
4.	to tend to establish (a theory, statement, etc) by providing new facts; substantiate
5.	to speak in favour of (a motion)
6.	to give aid or courage to
7.	to give approval to (a cause, principle, etc); subscribe to: to support a political candidature
8.	to endure with forbearance: I will no longer support bad behaviour
9.	to give strength to; maintain: to support a business
10.	(tr) (in a concert) to perform earlier than (the main attraction)
11.	films, theatre
	a.  to play a subordinate role to
	b.  to accompany (the feature) in a film programme
12.	to act or perform (a role or character)
—n
13.	the act of supporting or the condition of being supported
14.	a thing that bears the weight or part of the weight of a construction
15.	a person who or thing that furnishes aid
16.	the means of maintenance of a family, person, etc
17.	a band or entertainer not topping the bill
18.	the support an actor or group of actors playing subordinate roles
19.	med an appliance worn to ease the strain on an injured bodily structure or part
20.	the solid material on which a painting is executed, such as canvas
21.	See athletic support
[C14: from Old French supporter, from Latin supportāre to bring, from sub- up + portāre to carry]
sup'portless
—adj

support
EXPAND

is from 1560s. Meaning "services which enable something to fulfil its function and remain in operation" (e.g. tech support) is from 1953.

COLLAPSE

support sup·port (sə-pôrt')
v. sup·port·ed, sup·port·ing, sup·ports

1. To bear the weight of, especially from below.

2. To hold in position so as to keep from falling, sinking, or slipping.

3. To be capable of bearing; withstand.

4. To keep from weakening or failing; strengthen.

5. To provide for or maintain, by supplying with money or necessities.

6. To endure; tolerate.

n.

1. The act of supporting.

2. The state of being supported.

3. One that supports or maintains.

4. Maintenance, as of a family, with the necessities of life.

support definition

After-sale handholding; something many software vendors promise but few deliver. To hackers, most support people are useless - because by the time a hacker calls support he or she will usually know the software and the relevant manuals better than the support people (sadly, this is *not* a joke or exaggeration). A hacker's idea of "support" is a tête-à-tête or exchange of electronic mail with the software's designer.
[Jargon File]
(1995-02-15)