crutch

[kruhch]

noun

1. a staff or support to assist a lame or infirm person in walking, now usually with a crosspiece at one end to fit under the armpit.

2. any of various devices resembling this in shape or use.

3. anything that serves as a temporary and often inappropriate support, supplement, or substitute; prop.

   He uses liquor as a psychological crutch.

4. a forked support or part.

5. the crotch of the human body.

6. Nautical.,  Also

   1. a forked support for a boom or spar when not in use.

   2. a forked support for an oar on the sides or stern of a rowboat.

   3. a horizontal knee reinforcing the stern frames of a wooden vessel.

7. a forked device on the left side of a sidesaddle, consisting of two hooks, one of which is open at the bottom and serves to clamp the left knee and the other of which is open at the top and serves to support the right knee.

verb (used with object)

1. to support on crutches; prop; sustain.

crutch

/ krʌtʃ /

noun

1. a long staff of wood or metal having a rest for the armpit, for supporting the weight of the body

2. something that supports or sustains

   a crutch to the economy

3. another word for crotch

4. nautical

   1. a forked support for a boom or oar, etc

   2. a brace for reinforcing the frames at the stern of a wooden vessel

verb

1. (tr) to support or sustain (a person or thing) as with a crutch

2. slang,  to clip (wool) from the hindquarters of a sheep

Other Word Forms

• crutchlike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of crutch¹

before 900; Middle English crucche, Old English cryce (oblique crycce ); cognate with Norwegian krykkja, Danish krykke, German Krücke, Dutch kruk. See crook ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of crutch¹

Old English crycc; related to Old High German krucka, Old Norse krykkja; see _crosier , _crook

Example Sentences

"The way I use my crutches means I'm always up on my tippy-toes," she told host Grace Neutral.

Read more on BBC

Encouragingly for cryptocurrencies, the rebound is continuing without the crutch of a stock-market rally to support it.

Read more on Barron's

So I was literally in the brace, on the crutches, for almost a month.

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Its policy will ensure that “students are not going to be using AI as a crutch” on their entrance examinations.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Versatile back Freeman is being monitored for a hamstring injury, while second row Chessum has a foot injury and was spotted at the England team hotel on crutches.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• cane