1. (n.) One who, or that which, supports; as, oxygen is a supporter of life.

2. (n.) Especially, an adherent; one who sustains, advocates, and defends; as, the supporter of a party, faction, or candidate.

3. (n.) A knee placed under the cathead.

4. (n.) A figure, sometimes of a man, but commonly of some animal, placed on either side of an escutcheon, and exterior to it. Usually, both supporters of an escutcheon are similar figures.

5. (n.) A broad band or truss for supporting the abdomen or some other part or organ.

Maecenas Santa Claus abettor acquaintance adherent admirer advocate aficionado aid almoner almsgiver alpenstock alter ego angel apologist appendage arm assignor assistant athletic supporter attendant awarder back backbone backer backing bandeau bearer best friend bestower bosom friend bra brace bracer braces bracket brassiere brother buff buttress cane carrier casual acquaintance cavaliere servente cervix champion cheerful giver close acquaintance close friend cohort conferrer confidant confidante consignor contributor corset courtier crook crutch dangler defender dependence dependent devotee disciple donator donor encourager endorser enthusiast exponent expounder fairy godmother familiar fan favorer fellow fellow creature fellowman feoffor financer flunky follower following foundation garment friend friend at court fulcrum funder galluses girdle giver grantor grubstaker guard guy guywire hanger hanger-on helper henchman homme de cour imparter inseparable friend intimate jock jockstrap lady bountiful lover mainstay maintainer mast meal ticket neck neighbor other self pair of suspenders paladin paranymph parasite partisan patron patroness philanthropist pickup presenter promoter prop proponent protagonist protector public pursuer pursuivant reinforce reinforcement reinforcer reliance repository rest resting place rigging satellite second seconder sectary settler shadow shoulder shroud sider spine sponsor sprit staff staker stalwart standby standing rigging stave stay stick stiffener stooge strengthener subscriber successor sugar daddy support suspender suspenders sustainer sympathizer tagtail tail testate testator testatrix trainbearer upholder vindicator votary vouchsafer walking stick ward heeler well-wisher