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).
| support |
noun |
| 1. | 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 |
|
|
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 |
|
|
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 |
|
|
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 |
|
|
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 |
|
|
2 : SUPPORTER
| Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc. |
Wallstreet Words - Cite This Source - Share This
support
- Increased demand for a security. Compare resistance.
Wall Street Words: An A to Z Guide to Investment Terms for Today's Investor by David L. Scott.
Copyright © 2003 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. |
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law - Cite This Source - Share This
Main Entry: sup·port
Function: transitive verb
1 a : to promote the interests or cause of b : to uphold or defend as valid or right c: to argue or vote for
2 : to provide with substantiation or corroboration <support an alibi>
3 : to provide with the means of livelihood (ashousing, food, or clothing) esp. in accordance with an agreement or court order
4 : to hold up or in position : maintain the physical integrity of <the right to have one'sland supported by the underlying land>
| Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc. |
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law - Cite This Source - Share This
Main Entry: sup·port
Function: transitive verb
1 a : to promote the interests or cause of b : to uphold or defend as valid or right c: to argue or vote for
2 : to provide with substantiation or corroboration <support an alibi>
3 : to provide with the means of livelihood (ashousing, food, or clothing) esp. in accordance with an agreement or court order
4 : to hold up or in position : maintain the physical integrity of <the right to have one'sland supported by the underlying land>
| Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc. |
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law - Cite This Source - Share This
Main Entry: support
Function: noun
1 : the act or process of supporting : the condition of being supported <pledged the candidate theirsupport>
2 : a means of obtaining the necessities of life (as food, shelter, and clothing) : a source of livelihood esp. in the form of alimony or child support
3 : something that provides support
| Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc. |
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law - Cite This Source - Share This
Main Entry: support
Function: noun
1 : the act or process of supporting : the condition of being supported <pledged the candidate theirsupport>
2 : a means of obtaining the necessities of life (as food, shelter, and clothing) : a source of livelihood esp. in the form of alimony or child support
3 : something that provides support
| Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc. |
Free On-line Dictionary of Computing - Cite This Source - Share This
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)
| The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © 1993-2007 Denis Howe |
Jargon File - Cite This Source - Share This
support
n. 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 te^te-a`-te^te with the software's designer.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Support
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.
| Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc. |
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Support
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.
| Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc. |
Acronym Finder - Cite This Source - Share This
SUPPORT
SUPPORT: in Acronym Finder
| Acronym Finder, © 1988-2007 Mountain Data Systems |
On-line Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
support
support: in CancerWEB's On-line Medical Dictionary
| On-line Medical Dictionary, © 1997-98 Academic Medical Publishing & CancerWEB |
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