səˈpɔ:t v. & n. --v.tr. 1
carry all or
part of
the weight of. 2
keep from falling or sinking or
failing. 3
provide with a
home and the necessities of
life (has a
family to support). 4
enable to last
out;
give strength to;
encourage. 5 bear out; tend to
substantiate or
corroborate (a
statement,
charge,
theory, etc.). 6 give
help or
countenance to,
back up; second,
further. 7
speak in
favour of (a
resolution etc.). 8 be actively interested in (a
particular team or sport). 9
take a part
that is
secondary to (a
principal actor etc.). 10
assist (a
lecturer etc.) by one's
presence. 11
endure,
tolerate (can no longer support the noise). 12
maintain or
represent (a part or character) adequately. 13
subscribe to the funds of (an institution). --n. 1 the
act or an
instance of supporting; the process of
being supported. 2 a
person or
thing that supports. øin support of in
order to support. supporting
film (or
picture etc.) a
less important film in a
cinema programme. support
price a
minimum price guaranteed to a
farmer for agricultural
produce and maintained by
subsidy etc. øøsupportable adj. supportability n. supportably adv. supportingly adv. supportless adj. [ME f. OF
supporter f. L supportare (as
SUB-, portare carry)]
