[self-suh-pawrt, -pohrt, self-] 
| the supporting or maintaining of oneself or itself without reliance on outside aid. |
| self-sup·port (sělf'sə-pôrt', -pōrt') n. The act of or capacity for supporting oneself, especially financially, without the help of others. self'-sup·port'ed, self'-sup·port'ing adj. |