2  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Support  \Sup*port"\,  v.  t.  [imp.  &  p.  p.  {Supported};  p.  pr  & 
  vb  n.  {Supporting}.]  [F.  supporter,  L.  supportare  to  carry 
  on  to  convey,  in  LL.,  to  support,  sustain;  sub  under  + 
  portare  to  carry.  See  {Port}  demeanor.] 
  1.  To  bear  by  being  under  to  keep  from  falling;  to  uphold; 
  to  sustain,  in  a  literal  or  physical  sense  to  prop  up  to 
  bear  the  weight  of  as  a  pillar  supports  a  structure;  an 
  abutment  supports  an  arch;  the  trunk  of  a  tree  supports 
  the  branches. 
 
  2.  To  endure  without  being  overcome,  exhausted,  or  changed  in 
  character;  to  sustain;  as  to  support  pain,  distress,  or 
  misfortunes. 
 
  This  fierce  demeanor  and  his  insolence  The  patience 
  of  a  god  could  not  support.  --Dryden. 
 
  3.  To  keep  from  failing  or  sinking;  to  solace  under  affictive 
  circumstances;  to  assist;  to  encourage;  to  defend;  as  to 
  support  the  courage  or  spirits. 
 
  4.  To  assume  and  carry  successfully,  as  the  part  of  an  actor; 
  to  represent  or  act  to  sustain;  as  to  support  the 
  character  of  King  Lear. 
 
  5.  To  furnish  with  the  means  of  sustenance  or  livelihood;  to 
  maintain;  to  provide  for  as  to  support  a  family;  to 
  support  the  ministers  of  the  gospel. 
 
  6.  To  carry  on  to  enable  to  continue;  to  maintain;  as  to 
  support  a  war  or  a  contest;  to  support  an  argument  or  a 
  debate. 
 
  7.  To  verify;  to  make  good;  to  substantiate;  to  establish;  to 
  sustain;  as  the  testimony  is  not  sufficient  to  support 
  the  charges;  the  evidence  will  not  support  the  statements 
  or  allegations. 
 
  To  urge  such  arguments,  as  though  they  were 
  sufficient  to  support  and  demonstrate  a  whole  scheme 
  of  moral  philosophy.  --J.  Edwards. 
 
  8.  To  vindicate;  to  maintain;  to  defend  successfully;  as  to 
  be  able  to  support  one's  own  cause 
 
  9.  To  uphold  by  aid  or  countenance;  to  aid;  to  help;  to  back 
  up  as  to  support  a  friend  or  a  party;  to  support  the 
  present  administration. 
 
  Wherefore,  bold  pleasant,  Darest  thou  support  a 
  published  traitor?  --Shak. 
 
  10.  A  attend  as  an  honorary  assistant;  as  a  chairman 
  supported  by  a  vice  chairman;  O'Connell  left  the  prison, 
  supported  by  his  two  sons. 
 
  {Support  arms}  (Mil.),  a  command  in  the  manual  of  arms  in 
  responce  to  which  the  piece  is  held  vertically  at  the 
  shoulder,  with  the  hammer  resting  on  the  left  forearm, 
  which  is  passed  horizontally  across  the  body  in  front; 
  also  the  position  assumed  in  response  to  this  command. 
 
  Syn:  To  maintain;  endure;  verify;  substantiate;  countenance; 
  patronize;  help;  back  second  succor;  relieve;  uphold; 
  encourage;  favor;  nurture;  nourish;  cherish;  shield; 
  defend;  protect;  stay;  assist;  forward. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  supporting 
  adj  1:  furnishing  support  and  encouragement;  "the  anxious  child 
  needs  supporting  and  accepting  treatment  from  the 
  teacher"  [syn:  {encouraging}] 
  2:  capable  of  bearing  a  structural  load;  "a  supporting  wall" 
  [syn:  {load-bearing(a)},  {supporting(a)}] 
  n  :  the  act  of  bearing  the  weight  of  or  strengthening;  "he 
  leaned  against  the  wall  for  support";  "they  forded  the 
  stream  supporting  their  packs  over  their  heads"  [syn:  {support}] 

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