1. (n.) Anything which supports, props up or strengthens\.

2. (v. t.) To support with a buttress; to prop; to brace firmly.

3. (n.) A projecting mass of masonry, used for resisting the thrust of an arch, or for ornament and symmetry.

abutment advocate affirm afford support alpenstock arc-boutant arm athletic supporter attest authenticate back back up backbone backing bandeau bank beam bear bear out bear up bearer beef up bolster bolster up bra brace brace up bracer bracket brassiere breakwater bulwark buoy up buttress pier buttressing cane carrier carry case harden certify cervix circumstantiate column confirm corroborate corset cradle crook crutch cushion document embankment finance flying buttress fortify foundation garment fulcrum fund gird girdle give support groin guy guywire hanging buttress harden hold hold up invigorate jetty jock jockstrap jutty keep keep afloat keep up lend support mainstay maintain maintainer mast mole neck nerve pier pier buttress pillow probate prop prop up prove rampart ratify refresh reinforce reinforcement reinforcer reinvigorate rest resting place restrengthen retaining wall rigging seawall shore shore up shoulder shroud spine sprit staff standing rigging stave stay steel stick stiffen stiffener strengthen strengthener subsidize substantiate subvention subventionize support supporter sustain sustainer temper toughen underbrace undergird underlie underpin underpinning underset upbear uphold upholder upkeep validate verify walking stick warrant