(n.) One who, or that which, sustains.

Maecenas abettor admirer advocate aficionado alpenstock angel apologist arm athletic supporter back backbone backer backing bandeau bearer bra brace bracer bracket brassiere broadcast buff buttress cane canned show carrier cervix champion commercial commercial program corset crook crutch defender dependence electrical transcription encourager endorser exponent fan favorer foundation garment friend at court fulcrum girdle guy guywire jock jockstrap lover mainstay maintainer mast neck network show newscast paranymph partisan patron promoter prop protagonist radio fare radiobroadcast rebroadcast reinforce reinforcement reinforcer reliance rerun rest resting place rigging second seconder sectary serial shoulder shroud sider soap opera sound effects spine sponsor sportscast sprit staff stalwart standby standing rigging stave stay stick stiffener strengthener support supporter sympathizer taped program upholder votary walking stick well-wisher