crutch

American  

[kruhch] / krʌtʃ /

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.

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verb (used with object)

1. to support on crutches; prop; sustain.

crutch British  

/ 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

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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

Etymology

Origin of crutch

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

Example Sentences

If you use your chatbot as a coach, not a crutch, it can help you hone your own memory and reasoning skills.

From The Wall Street Journal

If you use your chatbot as a coach, not a crutch, it can help you hone your own memory and reasoning skills.

From The Wall Street Journal

The question isn’t whether AI is cognitively dangerous, the question is whether you’re using it as a crutch or as a coach.

From The Wall Street Journal

If you use your chatbot as a coach, not a crutch, it can help you hone your own memory and reasoning skills.

From The Wall Street Journal

Angela, described by her family as a "loved daughter, sister, mum and aunty", was using a crutch at the time of her death after injuring her knee.

From BBC

Related Words

• cane