v.
- bear all or part of the weight of.
- give assistance, encouragement, or approval to.
▸be actively interested in (a particular sports team).
▸
[as adj. supporting]
(of an actor or a role) of secondary importance to the leading roles in a play or film.
▸(of a pop or rock group or performer) function as a secondary act to (another) at a concert.
- provide with a home and the necessities of life.
▸be capable of sustaining.
- corroborate.
- endure; tolerate.
n.
- a person or thing that supports.
▸the action of supporting or the state of being supported.
▸corroborative evidence.
- assistance, encouragement, or approval.
Derivative
- supportability n.
- supportable adj.
Etymology
ME: from OFr. supporter, from L. supportare, from sub- ‘from below’ + portare ‘carry’.