(of hosiery) made with elasticized fibers so as to fit snugly on the legs, thereby aiding circulation, relieving fatigue, etc.
[Origin: 1350–1400; (v.) ME supporten < MF supporter < ML supportāre to endure (L: to convey), equiv. to sup-sup-+ portāre to carry (see port5); (n.) ME, deriv. of the v.]
—Related forms
sup·port·ing·ly, adverb
—Synonyms 1, 6.Support,maintain,sustain,uphold all mean to hold up and to preserve. To support is to hold up or add strength to, literally or figuratively: The columns support the roof. To maintain is to support so as to preserve intact: to maintain an attitude of defiance. To sustain, a rather elevated word, suggests completeness and adequacy in supporting: The court sustained his claim. Uphold applies esp. to supporting or backing another, as in a statement, opinion, or belief: to uphold the rights of a minority. 3. suffer, bear, stand, stomach. 13. sustenance, subsistence, keep. See living.
To hold in position so as to keep from falling, sinking, or slipping.
To be capable of bearing; withstand: "His flaw'd heart . . . too weak the conflict to support"(Shakespeare).
To keep from weakening or failing; strengthen: The letter supported him in his grief.
To provide for or maintain, by supplying with money or necessities.
To furnish corroborating evidence for: New facts supported her story.
To aid the cause, policy, or interests of: supported her in her election campaign.
To argue in favor of; advocate: supported lower taxes.
To endure; tolerate: "At supper there was such a conflux of company that I could scarcely support the tumult"(Samuel Johnson).
To act in a secondary or subordinate role to (a leading performer).
n.
The act of supporting.
The state of being supported.
One that supports.
Maintenance, as of a family, with the necessities of life.
[Middle English supporten, from Old French supporter, from Latin supportāre, to carry : sub-, from below; see sub- + portāre, to carry; see per-2 in Indo-European roots.]
Synonyms: These verbs mean to give aid or encouragement to a person or cause. Support is the most general: "the policy of Cromwell, who supported the growing power of France against the declining power of Spain" (William E.H. Lecky).
To uphold is to maintain or affirm in the face of a challenge or strong opposition: "The Declaration of Right upheld the principle of hereditary monarchy" (Edmund Burke).
Back suggests material or moral support intended to contribute to or assure success: The important medical research was backed by the federal government. Advocate implies verbal support, often in the form of pleading or arguing: Scientists advocate a reduction in saturated fats in the human diet.
To champion is to fight for one that is under attack or is unable to act in its own behalf: "championed the government and defended the system of taxation" (Samuel Chew).
1382, from O.Fr. supporter, from L. supportare "convey, carry, bring up," from sub "up from under" + portare "to carry" (see port (1)). The noun meaning "act of assistance, backing" is recorded from 1390; sense of "that which supports" is from 1570. Meaning "services which enable something to fulfil its function and remain in operation" (e.g. tech support) is from 1953. Supportive (1593) is called "rare" in OED (1933).
the activity of providing for or maintaining by supplying with money or necessities; "his support kept the family together"; "they gave him emotional support during difficult times"
2.
aiding the cause or policy or interests of; "the president no longer has the support of his own party"; "they developed a scheme of mutual support"
3.
something providing immaterial assistance to a person or cause or interest; "the policy found little public support"; "his faith was all the support he needed"; "the team enjoyed the support of their fans"
4.
a military operation (often involving new supplies of men and materiel) to strengthen a military force or aid in the performance of its mission; "they called for artillery support"
5.
documentary validation; "his documentation of the results was excellent"; "the strongest support for this view is the work of Jones" [syn: documentation]
6.
the financial means whereby one lives; "each child was expected to pay for their keep"; "he applied to the state for support"; "he could no longer earn his own livelihood"
7.
supporting structure that holds up or provides a foundation; "the statue stood on a marble support"
8.
the act of bearing the weight of or strengthening; "he leaned against the wall for support"
9.
a musical part (vocal or instrumental) that supports or provides background for other musical parts [syn: accompaniment]
10.
any device that bears the weight of another thing; "there was no place to attach supports for a shelf"
11.
financial resources provided to make some project possible; "the foundation provided support for the experiment"
verb
1.
give moral or psychological support, aid, or courage to; "She supported him during the illness"; "Her children always backed her up"
2.
support materially or financially; "he does not support his natural children"; "The scholarship supported me when I was in college"
3.
be behind; approve of; "He plumped for the Labor Party"; "I backed Kennedy in 1960" [syn: back]
4.
be the physical support of; carry the weight of; "The beam holds up the roof"; "He supported me with one hand while I balanced on the beam"; "What's holding that mirror?" [syn: hold]
5.
establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts; "his story confirmed my doubts"; "The evidence supports the defendant" [syn: confirm] [ant: contradict]
6.
adopt as a belief; "I subscribe to your view on abortion" [syn: subscribe]
7.
support with evidence or authority or make more certain or confirm; "The stories and claims were born out by the evidence" [syn: corroborate]
8.
argue or speak in defense of; "She supported the motion to strike" [syn: defend]
9.
play a subordinate role to (another performer); "Olivier supported Gielgud beautifully in the second act"
10.
be a regular customer or client of; "We patronize this store"; "Our sponsor kept our art studio going for as long as he could" [syn: patronize]
11.
put up with something or somebody unpleasant; "I cannot bear his constant criticism"; "The new secretary had to endure a lot of unprofessional remarks"; "he learned to tolerate the heat"; "She stuck out two years in a miserable marriage"
to bear the weight of, or hold upright, in place etc Example: That chair won't support him / his weight; He limped home, supported by a friend on either side of him.
Arabic:
يَسْنِد، يَحْمِل
Chinese (Simplified):
支撑
Chinese (Traditional):
支撐
Czech:
podpírat
Danish:
bære; støtte
Dutch:
dragen, steunen
Estonian:
kandma, toetama
Finnish:
kannattaa
French:
(sup)porter, soutenir
German:
tragen
Greek:
υποβαστάζω, στηρίζω
Hungarian:
(meg)tart
Icelandic:
halda upp; styðja (við)
Indonesian:
menunjang
Italian:
sostenere
Japanese:
支える
Korean:
…을 받치다, (무게를) 지탱하다
Latvian:
balstīt; noturēt
Lithuanian:
išlaikyti, palaikyti, paremti
Norwegian:
støtte, holde (oppe), bære
Polish:
udźwignąć, podtrzymać
Portuguese (Brazil):
sustentar, apoiar
Portuguese (Portugal):
apoiar
Romanian:
a susţine, a sprijini
Russian:
выдерживать; поддерживать
Slovak:
uniesť; podoprieť
Slovenian:
prenesti; podpreti
Spanish:
aguantar, sostener
Swedish:
stötta, stödja, bära upp
Turkish:
desteklemek, çekmek
support2[səˈpoːt]verb
to give help, or approval to Example: He has always supported our cause; His family supported him in his decision.
Arabic:
يَدْعَم، يُسانِد، يُؤَيِّد
Chinese (Simplified):
支持
Chinese (Traditional):
支援
Czech:
podporovat
Danish:
støtte
Dutch:
steunen
Estonian:
toetama
Finnish:
tukea
French:
soutenir
German:
unterstützen
Greek:
(υπο)στηρίζω, βοηθώ
Hungarian:
támogat
Icelandic:
styðja, aðstoða
Indonesian:
mendukung
Italian:
sostenere, appoggiare
Japanese:
支持する
Korean:
후원하다, 지지하다
Latvian:
atbalstīt
Lithuanian:
remti
Norwegian:
gi støtte til
Polish:
popierać, zachęcać
Portuguese (Brazil):
apoiar
Portuguese (Portugal):
apoiar
Romanian:
a susţine
Russian:
оказывать поддержку
Slovak:
podporovať
Slovenian:
podpreti
Spanish:
apoyar, secundar, respaldar
Swedish:
stötta, stödja, backa upp
Turkish:
desteklemek, arka olmak, *çıkmak
support3[səˈpoːt]verb
to provide evidence for the truth of Example: New discoveries have been made that support his theory; The second witness supported the statement of the first one.
Arabic:
يُعَزِّز، يُؤَيِّد
Chinese (Simplified):
证实
Chinese (Traditional):
證實
Czech:
podepřít, potvrdit
Danish:
bevise; underbygge
Dutch:
ondersteunen
Estonian:
kinnitama
Finnish:
vahvistaa
French:
corroborer, confirmer
German:
erhärten
Greek:
επαληθεύω, επιβεβαιώνω
Hungarian:
alátámaszt
Icelandic:
styðja, styrkja
Indonesian:
mendukung
Italian:
confermare
Japanese:
証拠だてる
Korean:
(진술·의견을) 뒷받침하다, 입증하다
Latvian:
pierādīt
Lithuanian:
paremti
Norwegian:
støtte, underbygge
Polish:
potwierdzać
Portuguese (Brazil):
apoiar
Portuguese (Portugal):
confirmar
Romanian:
a corobora, a confirma
Russian:
подтверждать
Slovak:
podporiť, potvrdiť
Slovenian:
podpreti
Spanish:
corroborar, confirmar
Swedish:
stödja, bekräfta
Turkish:
doğrulamak
support4[səˈpoːt]verb
to supply with the means of living Example: He has a wife and four children to support.
Arabic:
يُعيل
Chinese (Simplified):
供养
Chinese (Traditional):
供養
Czech:
živit
Danish:
forsørge
Dutch:
onderhouden
Estonian:
elatama
Finnish:
elättää
French:
subvenir aux besoins de
German:
unterhalten
Greek:
συντηρώ, τρέφω
Hungarian:
eltart
Icelandic:
sjá fyrir, framfleyta
Indonesian:
menanggung
Italian:
mantenere
Japanese:
扶養する
Korean:
(가족을) 부양하다
Latvian:
uzturēt
Lithuanian:
išlaikyti
Norwegian:
forsørge
Polish:
utrzymywać
Portuguese (Brazil):
sustentar
Portuguese (Portugal):
sustentar
Romanian:
a creşte
Russian:
содержать
Slovak:
živiť
Slovenian:
vzdrževati
Spanish:
mantener
Swedish:
försörja
Turkish:
bakmak, geçindirmek
support1[səˈpoːt]noun
the act of supporting or state of being supported Example: That type of shoe doesn't give the foot much support; The plan was cancelled because of lack of support; Her job is the family's only means of support; I would like to say a word or two in support of his proposal.
Arabic:
دَعْم، تأييد
Chinese (Simplified):
支持，帮助
Chinese (Traditional):
支援，幫助
Czech:
opora; podpora; obživa
Danish:
støtte; underhold
Dutch:
steun
Estonian:
tugi, toetus
Finnish:
tuki
French:
soutien, appui
German:
die Unterstützung
Greek:
στήριξη
Hungarian:
támogatás
Icelandic:
stuðningur; framfærsla
Indonesian:
dukungan
Italian:
supporto, sostegno, appoggio
Japanese:
支持
Korean:
지지; 부양
Latvian:
balsts
Lithuanian:
atrama, parama, pritarimas
Norwegian:
støtte; underhold
Polish:
utrzymanie, poparcie
Portuguese (Brazil):
suporte, apoio
Portuguese (Portugal):
apoio
Romanian:
sprijin, susţinere
Russian:
поддержка; средства к существованию
Slovak:
podpora; obživa
Slovenian:
podpora
Spanish:
apoyo, soporte
Swedish:
stöd, försörjning
Turkish:
destek, destekleme
support2[səˈpoːt]noun
something that supports Example: One of the supports of the bridge collapsed.
support 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 tte--tte or exchange of electronic mail with the software's designer. [The Jargon File] (1995-02-15)
In`sup*port"a*ble\, a. [L. insupportabilis: cf. F. insupportable. See In- not, and Support.] Incapable of being supported or borne; unendurable; insufferable; intolerable; as, insupportable burdens; insupportable pain. -- In`sup*port"a*ble*ness, n. -- In`sup*port"a*bly, adv.
Sup*port"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Supported; p. pr. & vb. n. Supporting.] [F. supporter, L. supportare to carry on, to convey, in LL., to support, sustain; sub under + portare to carry. See Port demeanor.]1. To bear by being under; to keep from falling; to uphold; to sustain, in a literal or physical sense; to prop up; to bear the weight of; as, a pillar supports a structure; an abutment supports an arch; the trunk of a tree supports the branches. 2. To endure without being overcome, exhausted, or changed in character; to sustain; as, to support pain, distress, or misfortunes. This fierce demeanor and his insolence The patience of a god could not support. --Dryden. 3. To keep from failing or sinking; to solace under affictive circumstances; to assist; to encourage; to defend; as, to support the courage or spirits. 4. To assume and carry successfully, as the part of an actor; to represent or act; to sustain; as, to support the character of King Lear. 5. To furnish with the means of sustenance or livelihood; to maintain; to provide for; as, to support a family; to support the ministers of the gospel. 6. To carry on; to enable to continue; to maintain; as, to support a war or a contest; to support an argument or a debate. 7. To verify; to make good; to substantiate; to establish; to sustain; as, the testimony is not sufficient to support the charges; the evidence will not support the statements or allegations. To urge such arguments, as though they were sufficient to support and demonstrate a whole scheme of moral philosophy. --J. Edwards. 8. To vindicate; to maintain; to defend successfully; as, to be able to support one's own cause. 9. To uphold by aid or countenance; to aid; to help; to back up; as, to support a friend or a party; to support the present administration. Wherefore, bold pleasant, Darest thou support a published traitor? --Shak. 10. A attend as an honorary assistant; as, a chairman supported by a vice chairman; O'Connell left the prison, supported by his two sons. Support arms (Mil.), a command in the manual of arms in responce to which the piece is held vertically at the shoulder, with the hammer resting on the left forearm, which is passed horizontally across the body in front; also, the position assumed in response to this command. Syn: To maintain; endure; verify; substantiate; countenance; patronize; help; back; second; succor; relieve; uphold; encourage; favor; nurture; nourish; cherish; shield; defend; protect; stay; assist; forward.
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