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View synonyms for prop

prop

1

[ prop ]

verb (used with object)

, propped, prop·ping.
  1. to support, or prevent from falling, with or as if with a prop (often followed by up ):

    to prop an old fence; to prop up an unpopular government.

    Synonyms: bolster, buttress, brace

  2. to rest (a thing) against a support:

    He propped his cane against the wall.

  3. to support or sustain (often followed by up ).


noun

  1. a stick, rod, pole, beam, or other rigid support.
  2. a person or thing serving as a support or stay:

    His father is his financial prop.

prop

2

[ prop ]

noun

, Theater.

prop

3

[ prop ]

noun

  1. a propeller.

prop-

4
  1. a combining form representing propionic acid in compound words:

    propanil.

prop.

5

abbreviation for

  1. properly.
  2. property.
  3. proposition.
  4. proprietary.
  5. proprietor.

prop

1

/ prɒp /

noun

  1. an informal word for propeller
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


prop

2

/ prɒp /

verb

  1. tr to support with a rigid object, such as a stick
  2. trusually also foll byagainst to place or lean
  3. tr to sustain or support
  4. intr to stop suddenly or unexpectedly
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. something that gives rigid support, such as a stick
  2. a person or thing giving support, as of a moral or spiritual nature
  3. rugby either of the forwards at either end of the front row of a scrum
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

prop

3

/ prɒp /

noun

  1. short for property
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Words From

  • un·propped adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of prop1

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English noun prop(p)e “support, support for a vine or plant”; cognate with Middle Dutch proppe “bottle stopper,” early Modern Dutch “support for vines”

Origin of prop2

First recorded in 1910–15; by shortening

Origin of prop3

First recorded in 1910–15; by shortening
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Word History and Origins

Origin of prop1

C15: related to Middle Dutch proppe vine prop; compare Old High German pfropfo shoot, German Pfropfen stopper
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Idioms and Phrases

see knock the bottom (props) out from .
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Example Sentences

Without the proper equipment to repair and operate the Mohajer-4 it may be more of a photo prop than a piece of weaponry.

But this year, New Yorkers have a shot at making real changes through a ballot initiative sonorously known as Prop 1.

This is good—no one needs rape on TV used as a prop, or as background noise, or for shock value.

They see themselves being set up as a sacrifice for a U.S. policy meant to prop up Iraq.

After we tour the river we fly on a single-prop plane back to Fort Mac.

He realized for the first time what a prop and resource the deep maturity and scornful strength of his mother had been.

Then the thought of what had awakened her made her prop herself up on an elbow and gaze around.

Just now, Grandfather's keyster is the Rock of Gibraltar, the financial prop that is sustaining the whole structure.

If, by accident, the underground roots die off, the plant relies entirely on these air and prop roots for support and food.

The strong prop roots are generally of the same diameter throughout, though sometimes they thicken at the ends.

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Related Words

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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