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support

[ suh-pawrt, -pohrt ]
/ səˈpɔrt, -ˈpoʊrt /
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See synonyms for: support / supported / supporting / supports on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)
noun
adjective
(of hosiery) made with elasticized fibers so as to fit snugly on the legs, thereby aiding circulation, relieving fatigue, etc.
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Origin of support

First recorded in 1350–1400; (verb) Middle English supporten, from Middle French supporter, from Medieval Latin supportāre “to endure” (Latin: “to convey”), equivalent to sup- sup- + portāre “to carry” (see port5); (noun) Middle English, derivative of the verb

historical usage of support

The English noun support derives from the verb support. The verb comes from Middle English supporten, soport, supporte, from Anglo-French and Middle French subporter, supporter, originally “to suffer patiently, endure,” then “to come to the help of,” and later “to be in favor of, encourage.” The Middle French subporter clearly shows its Latin original, supportāre (also subportāre ), which in Latin means only “to transport or carry (supplies) to a place.” The other senses of supportāre arose in Medieval Latin. Supportāre is a compound verb made up of the preposition and prefix sub, sub- (here in the sense “movement or position up close to”) and the simple verb portāre “to carry, convey, transport.”

OTHER WORDS FROM support

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

WHEN TO USE

What are other ways to say support?

To support something, as a structure or heavy load, is to bear it or hold it up. To support a person is to supply them with things necessary to existence, or to keep their spirits or courage up under trial or affliction. How is support different from maintain, sustain, and uphold? Find out on Thesaurus.com.

How to use support in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for support

support
/ (səˈpɔːt) /

verb (tr)
noun

Derived forms of support

supportless, adjective

Word Origin for support

C14: from Old French supporter, from Latin supportāre to bring, from sub- up + portāre to carry
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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