1. (n.) One who binds himself to answer for another, and is responsible for his default; a surety.

2. (n.) One who at the baptism of an infant professore the Christian faith in its name, and guarantees its religious education; a godfather or godmother.

Maecenas abettor accept the responsibility admirer advocate aficionado angel answer for apologist assure attest back backer bailsman bankroll be sponsor for benefactor bond bondsman buff capitalize certify champion confirm countersecure defender dependence encourager endorse endorser ensure exponent fan favorer finance financer friend at court fund funder godfather godparent grubstake grubstaker guarantee guarantor guaranty insure insurer lover mainpernor mainstay maintainer meal ticket mortgagor paranymph partisan patron patronize pay for promote promoter protagonist provide for refinance reliance second seconder sectary secure set up sider sign sign for stake staker stalwart stand behind stand sponsor for stand up for standby subscribe to subsidize subsidizer support supporter surety sustainer sympathizer take the blame take up undersign underwrite underwriter upholder votary warrant warrantor well-wisher