1. (v. t.) 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. (v. t.) To endure without being overcome, exhausted, or changed in character; to sustain; as, to support pain, distress, or misfortunes.

3. (v. t.) To keep from failing or sinking; to solace under afflictive circumstances; to assist; to encourage; to defend; as, to support the courage or spirits.

4. (v. t.) 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. (v. t.) 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. (v. t.) 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. (v. t.) 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.

8. (v. t.) To vindicate; to maintain; to defend successfully; as, to be able to support one's own cause.

9. (v. t.) 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.

10. (n.) A attend as an honorary assistant; as, a chairman supported by a vice chairman; O'Connell left the prison, supported by his two sons.

11. (n.) The act, state, or operation of supporting, upholding, or sustaining.

12. (n.) That which upholds, sustains, or keeps from falling, as a prop, a pillar, or a foundation of any kind.

13. (n.) That which maintains or preserves from being overcome, falling, yielding, sinking, giving way, or the like; subsistence; maintenance; assistance; reinforcement; as, he gave his family a good support, the support of national credit; the assaulting column had the support of a battery.

A-frame Maecenas OK TLC abettor abide abide with accept acceptance accession accommodate accredit acquiescence act a part act out admirer advance advocate affirm affirmation afford afford hope afford support aficionado agreement agreement in principle aid aid and comfort aliment alimentation alimony allege in support allotment allowance alpenstock amen angel annuity answer anvil apologist applaud approve argue for arm assent assentation assert assist assistance assurance assure athletic supporter attend to attest attestation augur well authenticate authentication authorize autograph auxiliaries baby-sit back back rest back up backbone backer backing backing up backstop backup bandage bandeau bankroll base beam bear bear out bear up bear with bearer bearing out beef up benefit bid fair bide bit player block blow to bolster bolster up bolstering boost bounty bra brace brace up bracer bracket brassiere brave bread brook buck up buff buoy up buttress buttressing cane capitalization capitalize care care for carrier carry case harden certification certify cervix champion chaperon cheer cherish circumstantiate circumstantiation clothe column comfort commend compliance concurrence condolence confirm confirmation consent conservancy conservation conservationism conserve consolation contend for contribute copyright corroborate corroboration corroboratory evidence corset cosign countenance counter countersign cradle create a role crook crosstree crutch cry up cue rest cushion daily bread defend defender deficit financing dependence depict depletion allowance document documentation dole donate ease easel easement economic support elect embolden enact encourage encouragement encourager endorse endorser endow endowment endure environmental conservation espouse exponent extra face fan favor favorer fellowship figurant figurante fill fill up finance finances financial assistance financial backing financial support financing find forest conservation forest management fortification fortify fortifying forward foster foundation foundation garment frame friend at court fulcrum fund funding furnish general agreement gird girdle give give hope give permission give support give the go-ahead give the imprimatur give thumbs up go go treat good offices grant grant-in-aid grubstake guaranteed annual income guard guy guywire hand hang in hang in there hang tough harden have good prospects hearten hearty assent heel help hob hod hold