Also 4–5 supporte, 5 suppoorte, 6 Sc. suport (pa. pple. contracted support), 7 subport. [ad. (O)F. supporter (= Pr. supportar, It. sopportare, Sp. su-, soportar, Pg. soportar, supportar), ad. L. supportāre to convey, f. sup- = SUB- 25 + portāre to carry (see PORT v.1).]
1. trans. To endure without opposition or resistance; to bear with, put up with, tolerate. (In mod. use often a gallicism.)
1382. Wyclif, 2 Cor. xi. 1. I wolde ȝe schulden susteyne a litil thing of myn vnwysdom, but and supporte me [gloss or bere vp me]. Ibid. (1388), Col. iii. 13. And support ȝe echon other.
1455. in Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., Var. Coll., IV. 203. Ali charges and taxes … ye shall supporte and bere to your power.
1549. Compl. Scot., xvii. 143. The vice of thy ȝongest brother suld be supportit be rason of his ignorance.
1654. trans. Scudery’s Curia Pol., 100. How can they support infamy as a matter indifferent?
a. 1700. Evelyn, Diary, 28 July 1673. These things his high spirit could not support.
1731. Fielding, Mod. Husb., IV. iv. I know several women of fashion I could not support for a tiring woman.
1773. Mrs. Chapone, Improv. Mind (1774), I. iii. 83. I cannot support even the idea of your becoming one of those undone lost creatures!
1848. Thackeray, Van. Fair, xxv. I respectfully decline to receive Mrs. Rawdon—I can’t support that quite.
1897. Allbutt’s Syst. Med., II. 433. Occasionally it [sc. milk] is not well supported by the patient in any form.
1901. Daily Mail, 30 Oct., 4/4. He prefers to support the poacher’s intrusion than to risk shooting at him.
† b. To endure, undergo, esp. with fortitude or without giving way; to bear up against. Obs.
1604. Shaks., Oth., I. iii. 259. I a heauie interim shall support By his deere absence. Ibid. (1605), Lear, V. iii. 197. His slaw’d heart … too weake the conflict to support.
1615. G. Sandys, Trav., 146. Wrongs and contumelies, which they support with an invincible patience.
1671. Mrs. Behn, Forc’d Marriage, I. ii. Prethee how does she support this news?
a. 1700. in Cath. Rec. Soc. Publ. (1911), IX. 336. A greevious infirmity … wch she supported wth great patience, and Resignation.
1773. Johnson, Lett. to Mrs. Thrale, 17 Aug. At supper there was such a conflux of company that I could scarcely support the tumult.
1794. Mrs. Radcliffe, Myst. Udolpho, xxxviii. if she believed herself well enough to support the interview.
1805. Emily Clark, Banks of Douro, II. 40. Neither of them could support being alone.
c. trans. To sustain (a contest). rare.
1801. S. Turner, Hist. Anglo-Sax., III. ix. II. 156. Within two months afterwards, the princes of Wessex supported another battle with the recruited confederates at Merton.
2. trans. To strengthen the position of (a person or community) by one’s assistance, countenance or adherence; to uphold the rights, claims, authority or status of; to stand by, back up.
1390. Gower, Conf., III. 157. And ek his kinges realte Mot every liege man conforte, With good and bodi to supporte.
1424. in Cal. Pat. Rolls, 8 Hen. VI., 30. The xxiiij aldermen … xal … supporten the mair … in … counsell ghevyng, in walkyng with hym on principal dayes and in procession.
c. 1450. Lovelich, Grail, xiv. 648. To him ward ful faste he gan to Ride Forto supporten him at that Tyde.
1508. Dunbar, Poems, vii. 28. Oure indeficient adiutorie,… That neuer saw Scot yit indigent nor sory, Bot thou did hym suport, with thi gud deid.
1568. Grafton, Chron., II. 70. Sending to the King, to … desyre him, that he would not support nor maintaine his enemie within his Realme.
1607. Shaks., Cor., I. i. 84. [They] Make Edicts for Vsurie, to support Vsurers.
1651. Hobbes, Leviath., II. xxix. 168. So was Thomas Becket … supported against Henry the Second, by the Pope.
1686. trans. Chardin’s Coronat. Solyman, 104. Being supported by the favour of his Prince.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., iii. I. 354. A government, supported and trusted by London.
1884. A. R. Pennington, Wiclif, vii. 240. He had no party in the country to support him.
b. To uphold or maintain the validity or authority of (a thing); also, to give support to (a course of action).
1638. Chillingworth, Relig. Prot., iv. § 16. 198. The Divels instrument to support errours, and superstitions.
1713. Addison, Cato, I. i. To form new battles, and support his crimes.
1742. Kames, Decis. Crt. Sess., 1730–52 (1799), 45. It is the genius of law to support deeds, as far as they can be supported.
1748. Ld. Hardwicke, in Collect. Juridica (1791), 383. The recovery suffered by him was before the debts were paid,… and consequently he could not make a good tenant to the præcipe to support his recovery.
1800. Addison’s Rep., 11. The report … did not pursue the submission and so could not be supported.
1882. Pebody, Eng. Journalism, xx. 148. That he should bring out an evening paper to support the cause of the Throne.
† c. To second, corroborate; also, to intensify, as by contrast. Obs. rare.
1720. Ozell, trans. Vertot’s Rom. Rep., II. VIII. 28. These Advantages in Tiberius, were supported by a noble Air, an engaging Countenance [etc.].
1778. Sir J. Reynolds, Disc., viii. (1876), 453. That light is to be supported by sufficient shadow.
† 3. a. refl. To assert, maintain. Obs. rare–1.
1468. Paston Lett., II. 314. As I support me to alle the world, I put nevyr maner ne lyfelode of my Maister Fastolf yn trouble.
b. To back up in a statement or an opinion.
1686. W. Hopkins, trans. Ratramnus, Dissert. iv. (1688), 65, note. Bertram … determining the Sacramental change to be Figuratively wrought, not corporally,… and supporting himself by the Testimony of St. Augustine.
1744. Akenside, Pleas. Imag., Design ¶ 7. The authority of Virgil … will best support him in this particular.
1771. Junius Lett., xlvi. (1788), 258. But Junius has a great authority to support him; which … I accidentally met with this morning in the course of my reading.
c. To furnish authority for or corroboration of (a statement, etc.); to bear out, substantiate.
1761. Foote, Liar, II. Wks. 1799, I. 298. Sir Ja. … But, for the son, you never —. M. Gr. Sat eyes upon him. Sir Ja. Really? M. Gr. Really. Sir Ja. Finely supported.
1782. Priestley, Corrupt. Chr., I. II. 212. [This] is not at all supported by fact.
1817. W. Selwyn, Law Nisi Prius (ed. 4), II. 962. To support an averment in a declaration on a policy of insurance on goods.
1856. Froude, Hist. Eng. (1838), I. i. 14. The advocates of both [theories] can support their arguments with an appeal to experience.
1885. Law Times Rep., LIII. 478/1. The application was supported by an affidavit of the applicant. Ibid. (1895), LXXIII. 701/2. The statute … does not seem … to support the assertions for which it was cited.
d. To second or to speak in favor of (a proposition, or one who makes a proposition); to maintain, or contend for the truth of (an opinion, etc.).
1736. Gentl. Mag., VI. 718/1. This Proposition was supported and inforced by the D—ke of A—le.
1842. Bischoff, Woollen Manuf., II. 105. Lord Wharncliffe … promised to support Lord Harewood when he presented the petition to the House of Lords.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., iv. I. 445. Godolphin … had supported the Exclusion Bill.
1860. Tyndall, Glac., II. xiii. 296. M. Agassiz supported this theory for a time.
4. To provide for the maintenance of, bear the expense of; † also, to provide funds to meet (expenditure). Now only with immaterial obj.
c. 1413. [see SUPPORTING vbl. sb. 2].
1439. E. E. Wills (1882), 115. She beryng, yeldyng, payng and supportyng þeror þe ferme yerely, and oþer charges duryng her lyf.
1553. Acc. Ld. High Treas. Scot., X. 175. To the … wardane of the Myddill Marchis, to support his expensis, xl li.
1585. [see SUPPORTING vbl. sb. 2].
1662. Gerbier, Principles, 15. Ten Thousand Gilders per annum, to support and alter what he had Built amisse.
1691. T. H[ale], Acc. New Invent., p. lxvii. No allowance of any Sallary to support their Office.
1705. trans. Bosman’s Guinea, 342. These … eat of the best that is to be gotten as long as they have anything to support it.
1817. Parl. Deb., 801. That they supported the expenses out of the interest of the arrears which they withheld.
1818. Scott, Hrt. Midl., li. Allowances for the purpose of … supporting the hospitality of the representative of Majesty.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., iii. I. 336. This luxury was supported by a thriving trade.
b. Law. Of an estate: To be such as to provide for (a remainder).
1694. in Salkeld, Reports (1721), 576. The contingent Remainder to him was not discharged by the vesting in the Crown … because of the Wife’s Estate, which is sufficient to support it.
1766. Blackstone, Comm., II. xi. 166. A lease at will is not held to be such a particular estate, as will support a remainder over.
1772. Fearne, Contingent Remainders (1791), 424. It was agreed that such limitation was void as a contingent remainder, because there was no freehold to support it.
5. To furnish food or sustenance for; to supply with the necessaries of life.
c. 1430. Lydg., Min. Poems (Percy Soc.), 212. No Corn up growe nor greyn … Man to suppoorte.
c. 1470. Henry, Wallace, II. 413. Syluer thai had, all with him has he tayne, Him to support.
1562. Aberd. Kirk Sess. Rec. (Spalding Cl.), 7. Gif thai support nocht thair awin fader and moder.
1650. Cromwell, Lett., 9 Sept., in Carlyle. The Ministers in England are supported, and have liberty to preach the Gospel.
1762–71. H. Walpole, Vertue’s Anecd. Paint. (1786), V. 227. By which community … he had been supported, after he became incapable of business.
1791. J. Long, Voy. Indian Interpreter, 106. We had very little animal food, but fortunately killed three large bears in the middle of the portage, which supported us several days.
1801. Farmer’s Mag., April, 193. The burden of supporting the poor ought to be sustained by all ranks.
1842. Miss Mitford, in L’Estrange, Life (1870), III. ix. 137. I must so far neglect my dear father as to gain time for writing what may support us.
1845. Lingard, Anglo-Saxon Ch. (1858), II. xii. 204. During the winter they were supported at the expense of the inhabitants.
† b. gen. To supply. Sc. Obs. rare.
a. 1508. Dunbar, Tua Mariit Wemen, 467. I have ane secrete serwand … That me supportis of sic nedis.
1632. Lithgow, Trav., I. 25. This Prouince is mainely watered … with stately Po…. The Riuers Ladishe, Montanello, Della Guarda, and other forcible streames supporting the shoulders of it.
c. To sustain (the vital functions); also, to keep up the strength of (a sick person).
1704. Fuller, Med. Gymn. (1711), 103. A Gentleman … found that Riding supported him as much as the Change of Air.
1706. E. Ward, Wooden World Diss. (1708), 56. The poor Souls, to support Nature, are oblig’d … to spend their Pay upon the very Wine that was assign’d to them.
1786. J. Hunter, Treat. Venereal Dis., VI. iii. (1810), 530. The patient must be supported.
1842. [see NATURE sb. 10 b].
d. intr. for refl. To live on. U.S.
1870. W. M. Baker, New Timothy, xix. 232. O pshaw, we have plenty of property, he’ll have that to support on in his preachin’.
† 6. To make good, repair (a deficiency). rare.
c. 1449. [see SUPPORTING vbl. sb. 3].
1500–20. Dunbar, Poems, xxviii. 35. Ȝe … Supportand faltis with ȝour supple.
1563–7. Buchanan, Reform. St. Andros, Wks. (S.T.S.), 11. The principal sal support the defectis of absens of the public reidar and regentis.
7. To bear, hold or prop up; to keep from falling or sinking; † occas. to carry (the train of a robe).
c. 1420. ? Lydg., Assembly of Gods, 1528. Next whom stood Moyses,… Aaron & Vrre, hys armes supportyng.
a. 1548. Hall, Chron., Hen. VII., 53 b. Next after folowed the lady Cicile suster to ye quene supporting the treyne of the spouse.
1591. Shaks., 1 Hen. VI., II. v. 14. These Feet, whose strengthlesse stay is numme, (Vnable to support this Lumpe of Clay). Ibid. (1600), A. Y. L., II. vii. 199. Support him by the arme.
1667. Milton, P. L., IX. 427. Stooping to support Each Flour of slender stalk, whose head … Hung drooping unsustained.
1786. Abercrombie, Gard. Assist., 180. Rolling grass, trimming and supporting plants.
1842. Lover, Handy Andy, xxiv. Andy, in his fall, endeavouring to support himself, caught at the suspended articles above him.
1862. Miss Braddon, Lady Audley, xxxii. Her perfect chin supported by her hand.
1885. ‘Mrs. Alexander,’ At Bay, vi. As he supported his friend’s unsteady steps.
† b. refl. to hold oneself up, keep an erect position. Obs.
1593. Shaks., Rich. II., II. ii. 83. Here am I left to vnder-prop his Land, Who weake with age, cannot support my selfe.
1727. Gay, Begg. Op., I. viii. My head swims! I’m distracted! I can’t support myself—Oh! (Faints in a chair.)
† c. To give one’s arm to (a lady); to take (a person) on one’s arm. Obs.
1625. in Ellis, Orig. Lett., Ser I. III. 201. The Queen … came out … supported by the Count de Tilliers her Lord Chamberlain.
1632. Massinger, City Madam, I. ii. May I have the honour To support you, lady?
1768. Sterne, Sent. Journ., Sword. The Marquis … supported his lady;—his eldest son supported his sister.
1816. Scott, Old Mort., xliv. He offered his arm, and supported her into the small ante-room.
† d. (Mil.) To support arms, to carry the musket vertically against the left shoulder, with the hammer resting on the left arm held horizontally across the body. Obs.
1833. Regul. Instr. Cavalry, I. 28. Sentries posted with advanced arms may afterwards ‘support’ them.
e. To sustain (a weight of so much).
1726. Leoni, Alberti’s Archit., VIII. vii. II. 69/2. The Wall ought to be allowed a due Thickness for the supporting such a weight.
1815. J. Smith, Panorama Sci. & Art, II. 185. A piece of iron, the weight of which is rather more than a given magnet will support.
1831. Brewster, Optics, x. 93. An artificial horse-shoe loadstone, which carried 131/2 oz.,… at last supported 31 oz., by continuing it in the sun’s light.
1. Her. in pass. To be flanked by supporters.
1562. Legh, Armory, 88 b. Supported with a Mantiger Argent … and a wiuerne Or.
1610. Guillim, Heraldry, VI. vii. 280. [A shield] Supported by a Lion Rampand, gardant … and an Vnicorne.
1864. Boutell, Her. Hist. & Pop., xix. (ed. 3), 296. Each shield … is supported by figures of angels.
8. To constitute the substratum of (a structure); to sustain in position above, have on it or at the top.
1617. Moryson, Itin., I. 194. The second Bridge … is supported with pillars of wood.
1686. Plot, Staffordsh., 372. The whole [town-hall] being supported with a curious Portico of archwork.
1759. Brown, Compl. Farmer, 98. Let the board be a little supported by two ledges.
1796. Withering, Brit. Plants (ed. 3), II. 337. Spokes of the umbel from 3 to 7, each supporting only 1 flower.
1842. Loudon, Suburban Hort., 504. The floor of the pit may be supported on arches.
1863. Lyell, Antiq. Man, ii. 17. These [piles] have evidently once supported villages.
1907. Verney Memoirs, I. 3. ‘Andirons’ in front to support the logs of wood.
† b. Her. in pass. (see quots.). Obs.
1562. Legh, Armory, 109. If a Pale be vpon a Lion, or any other beast,… he is debrused with a Pale. But if the beast be on the Pale, then that beast is supported of the same Pale.
1728. Chambers, Cycl., Supported, in Heraldry, a Term apply’d to the uppermost Quarters of a Shield, when divided into several Quarters; these seeming, as it were, supported or sustain’d by those below…. The Chief is also said to be supported when it is of two Colours, and the upper Colour takes up two Thirds of it: In this case it is supported by the Colour underneath.
† c. Metaph. To be the subject or substratum of. (Cf. SUPPORT sb. 7 b.) Obs.
1656. Jeanes, Fuln. Christ, 154. There is an ability in the person of the word, to suppositate … the manhood, and there was a capacity in the manhood to be assumed, supported, and terminated by the person of the word.
1690. [see SURRORT sb. 7 b].
1710. Berkeley, Princ. Hum. Knowl., I. § 68. It must be observed, that it [sc. matter] supports nothing at all.
9. To keep (a person, his mind, etc.) from failing or giving way; to give courage, confidence or power of endurance to.
1602. Marston, Antonio’s Rev., Prol. Heere’s the prop that doth support our hopes.
1611. Bible, 1 Esdras viii. 52. That the power of the Lord our God, should be with them that seeke him, to support them in all wayes.
c. 1655. Milton, 2nd Sonn. to C. Skinner, 9. What supports me, dost thou ask? The conscience, Friend, to have lost them overply’d In libertyes defence. Ibid. (1667), P. L., XII. 496. With inward consolations recompenc’t, And oft supported so as shall amaze Thir proudest persecuters.
1719. Watts, Ps. CXLVI. vi. The Lord supports the sinking mind.
1779. Mirror, No. 63, ¶ 9. He was supported by the conscious admiration of those countrymen whom he had left.
1818. Miss Ferrier, Marriage, II. xxii. They are wonderfully supported and behave with astonishing firmness.
1838. Lytton, Leila, IV. iv. ‘Support me O Redeemer,’ she murmured.
† b. refl. (occas. intr.) To bear up under an infliction or against an untoward event. (Cf. 1 b.)
1638. Junius, Paint. Ancients, 192. Though a man bee nev[e]r so shamefaced, yet may he support himselfe by the helpe of a good conscience.
1756. Amory, Buncle (1770), IV. 88. As to myself … I brought a consumption into the world with me, and by art have supported under it.
1777. Johnson, Lett. to Mrs. Thrale, 22 Oct. Against a blow so sudden,… I wonder that she supports herself.
10. a. To maintain unimpaired, preserve from decay or depreciation.
1515. Barclay, Egloges, iv. (1570), C vj b/1. Supporting Iustice, concorde and equitie.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. II. v. Some benefytes supporteth the same [lyfe of grace in our soules].
1605. Shaks., Lear, I. iv. 287. Men … That … in the most exact regard, support The worships of their name.
1628. T. Ball, Life Preston (1885), 163. The Dr. used all his friends for to support & keepe in power this statute.
1710. Prideaux, Orig. Tithes, i. 5. His Worship be provided for with such a part of our substance, as may be sufficient to support it.
1802. James, Milit. Dict., s.v. To support the ancient character of the corps.
1891. Farrar, Darkn. & Dawn, xlv. The brave and honest Corbulo, who had supported the fame of Roman courage on so many a hard-fought field.
b. To preserve from failure, contribute to the success of (an undertaking); also, to maintain (a price).
1779. Sheridan, Critic, I. i. On the first night of a new piece they always fill the house with orders to support it.
1855. Poultry Chron., III. 551. For wheat the quotations of Monday were barely supported.
1898. Westm. Gaz., 24 Oct., 9/3. Indian gold shares have been supported.
c. To maintain in being or in action; to keep up, keep going; to provide the necessary matter for. (Cf. 4, 5; see also 11.)
1738. Swift, Pol. Conversat., Introd. 12. The genuine Productions of superior Wits, to embellish and support Conversation.
1766. Goldsm., Vicar W., xvii. She had been for some time supporting a fictitious gaiety.
1778. Miss Burney, Evelina, lxiii. I supported no part in the conversation. Ibid., lxxvi. I … wished Lord Orville had supported his own reserve, and suffered me to support mine.
1785. Swinburne, Trav., II. xliv. 307. The conversation … was well supported till midnight.
1812. Sir H. Davy, Chem. Philos., 3. A species of air that supports flame in a superior degree.
1826. Art of Brewing (ed. 2), 31. Keeping a quantity of this fermentable matter unattenuated, in order to support the natural consumption.
1838. Lytton, Alice, VIII. vii. Fear not … support your courage—nothing shall harm you.
1856. Froude, Hist. Eng., II. viii. 252. The earth will not support human life uncultivated.
1875. Jevons, Money (1878), 254. A town which is able to support two banks.
absol. 1827. Lytton, Pelham, III. iv. If it can create, can it not also support?
d. Of specie: To guarantee the convertibility of (a paper currency).
1868. Rogers, Pol. Econ., iv. (1876), 38. Great part of this [specie] is used to support the notes which circulate within the country.
11. To sustain (a character) in a dramatic performance; gen. to act or play (a part), bear (a character), maintain (a certain behavior or course of conduct).
1709. Steele, Tatler, No. 48, ¶ 4. They supported a general Behaviour in the World which could not hurt their Credit or their Purses.
a. 1763. Shenstone, Ess., Wks. 1765, II. 40. The higher character a person supports, the more he should regard his minutest actions.
1775. Sheridan, St. Patrick’s Day, I. ii. I hate militia officers,… clowns in military masquerade, wearing the dress without supporting the character.
1791. Theatr. Guardian, No. 6. 61. The characters were admirably supported.
1801. Strutt, Sports & Past., III. vi. 224. Persons capable of well supporting assumed characters.
1888. Bryce, Amer. Commw., I. 195. In order to support the rôle which they unconsciously fall into when talking to Europeans.
12. To give assistance to in a battle, esp. by a second line of troops; to act with, second (a leading actor); to assist as a subordinate in a contest, a musical performance, or the like. (Cf. 2.)
1848. Alison, Hist. Eur., liv. § 69 (ed. 7), XII. 115. As Junot perceived that their attack did not at once prove successful, they were supported in the end by the whole reserve of infantry under Kellerman.
1876. Voyle & Stevenson, Milit. Dict., s.v. Skirmishers, To support them [sc. skirmishers] when weakened … is the duty of the supports.
1889. Laurence Hutton, in Harper’s Mag., Nov., 871/1. As Ophelia, in New York and elsewhere, she supported the elder Booth, the elder Kean, [etc.].
1901. Daily Chron., 23 Nov., 9/5. Whaley is grandly supported by the two Milburns.
1910–1. A. W. Ward, in Encycl. Brit., VIII. 534/2. Metropolitan ‘stars’ travelled … generally alone, sometimes with one or two subordinates in their train, and were ‘supported,’ as the phrase went, by the stock company of each theatre.
1913. Times, 14 May, 6/2. The battalion had established its firing line on the opposite side of the canal with its machine guns and the Field Artillery section supporting the attack.
b. To occupy a position by the side of, with the object of giving assistance or encouragement; hence, to assist by one’s presence or attendance.
[Cf. quot. 1424 in sense 2, and the following:—
1697. Dryden, Virg. Georg., IV. 316. The servile Rout their careful Cæsar praise … They crowd his Levees, and support his Throne.]
1886. Manch. Examiner, 14 Jan., 5/6. Mr. Gladstone was supported right and left by Lord Hartington and Sir William Harcourt.
1896. G. W. Forrest, in Pall Mall Mag., Jan., 105. The Viceroy and Vicereine stand before Tippoo’s throne, supported on either side by the leading officials.
1913. Times, 7 Aug., 8/5. Sir W. Watson Cheyne, who presided, was supported by many highly distinguished surgeons.
