Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Assignment 4: Support - Definition

sup·port

[suh-pawrt, -pohrt]
–verb (used with object)
 
1.) to bear or hold up (a load, mass, structure, part, etc.); serve as a foundation for.
2) to sustain or withstand (weight, pressure, strain, etc.) without giving way; serve as a prop for.
3.) to undergo or endure, esp. with patience or submission; tolerate.
4.) to sustain (a person, the mind, spirits, courage, etc.) under trial or affliction: They supported him throughout his ordeal.
5.) to maintain (a person, family, establishment, institution, etc.) by supplying with things necessary to existence; provide for: to support a family.
6.) to uphold (a person, cause, policy, etc.) by aid, countenance, one's vote, etc.; back; second.
7.) to maintain or advocate (a theory, principle, etc.).
8.) to corroborate (a statement, opinion, etc.): Leading doctors supported his testimony.
9.) to act with or second (a lead performer); assist in performance: The star was supported by a talented newcomer.
 
 
–noun
 
10.) the act or an instance of supporting.
11.) the state of being supported.
12.) something that serves as a foundation, prop, brace, or stay.
13.) maintenance, as of a person or family, with necessaries, means, or funds: to pay for support of an orphan.
14.) a person or thing that supports, as financially: The pension was his only support.
15.) a person or thing that gives aid or assistance.
16.) an actor, actress, or group performing with a lead performer.
17.) the material, as canvas or wood, on which a picture is painted.

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.

sup·port·ing·ly, adverb
non·sup·port·ing, adjective
pre·sup·port, noun, verb (used with object)
pro·sup·port, adjective
qua·si-sup·port·ed, adjective
un·der·sup·port, noun
un·sup·port·ed, adjective
un·sup·port·ed·ly, adverb
un·sup·port·ing, adjective
well-sup·port·ed, adjective


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.

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