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| sup·port [ sə páwrt ] |
transitive verb (past and past participle sup·port·ed, present participle sup·port·ing, 3rd person present singular sup·ports) |
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| Definition: |
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1. keep something or somebody stable: to keep something or somebody upright or in place, or prevent something or somebody from falling
  Those pillars support the roof.
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2. bear weight: to be strong enough to hold a particular object or weight in place without breaking or giving way
Are you sure the ice is thick enough to support our weight?
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3. sustain somebody financially: to provide somebody with money and the other necessities of life over a period of time
She succeeds in supporting her family on what she earns.
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4. give active help and encouragement: to give active help, encouragement, or money to somebody or something
We support the charity through voluntary work.
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5. be in favor of something: to be in favor of something, e.g. a cause, policy, or organization, and wish to see it succeed
Do you support the committee's policy on membership fees?
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6. be present and give encouragement: to give encouragement to somebody or something by being present at an event
Why not come along on Saturday and support the school team?
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7. give assistance or comfort: to give assistance or comfort to somebody in difficulty or distress
He supported me throughout the crisis.
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8. corroborate story: to give something greater credibility by being consistent with it or providing further evidence for it
There is further evidence that supports the defendant's claim.
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9. enable something to live: to provide sufficient food and water or the appropriate conditions or facilities to enable people or animals to live or allow something to function
A better irrigation system would enable the area to support a larger population.
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10. provide assistance with computer system: to provide technical advice and assistance to the users of a product, especially a computing system or package
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11. comput permit use of software or devices: to be designed to allow something, e.g. a specific type of software, computer device, or programming language, to operate with it
This card cannot support parallel and serial ports.
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12. performing arts play small role alongside somebody: to play a subsidiary role alongside an actor with a leading part in a play or movie
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13. tolerate something: to put up with something unpleasant
(
formal
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The Court will not support such behavior.
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noun (plural sup·ports) |
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| Definition: |
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1. something that supports: a means of holding something upright or in place, or of preventing it from falling
If you remove those supports the plank will fall down.
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2. reinforcement to hold things in place: physical force or reinforcement used to hold things steady or in place
Stakes give the plant extra support.
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3. active assistance or encouragement: active assistance and encouragement to, or an approving and encouraging attitude toward, somebody or something
Support for the cause continues to rise.
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4. help in crisis: practical help or sympathy and encouragement received from others, e.g. friends, family, or charitable organizations, especially during times of crisis and change
Without the support of my family, I would not have survived the ordeal.
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5. supportive person or thing: somebody who or something that provides help, money, encouragement, or comfort
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6. group of supporters: the supporters of an organization such as a political party, or of an individual person, considered as a group
His support is drawn mainly from the rural areas.
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7. technical assistance: technical assistance and advice offered by the manufacturer or supplier of something, especially a computer device or program, to the user
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8. performing arts supporting bands or entertainers: the other band or bands, or the other entertainers, appearing in a program along with the main attraction
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| [14th century. Via French< Latin supportare "bear up" < portare "carry"] |
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in support of in order to support somebody or something
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