[f. as prec. + -ING2.]
1. That keeps from falling or sinking; that holds or props something up. Now chiefly technical.
c. 1610. Norden, Cornwall (1728), 91. The force of the water, which depriued them of the earth and other subportinge meanes.
1789. Cowper, Stanzas, 14. Faith’s supporting rod.
1825. J. Nicholson, Operat. Mechanic, 513. They are rivetted fast into the supporting-piece OH.
1834–41. J. S. Macaulay, Field Fortif. (1851), 136. The number of supporting bodies necessary to form a bridge.
1880. Bessey, Bot., vii. 89. Certain inner cells … become modified into sclerenchyma, or some other supporting tissue.
1883. Pall Mall G., 17 March, 10/2. The supporting arch underneath it having given way.
2. That preserves from failing or giving way; sustaining.
Supporting point: a fortified point or pivot in a line of defence.
1681. Flavel, Meth. Grace, xxii. 282. These supporting hopes the Lord sees necessary to encourage industry in the use of means.
1705. Stanhope, Paraphr., I. 46. The supporting Expectation of the like Rewards of our Sufferings.
1834. Coleridge, Table-t. (1836), 320. The supporting assurance of a reconciled God, who will not withdraw his spirit from me in the conflict.
1871. ‘M. Legrand,’ Cambr. Freshm., 25. A remark from Mrs. Golightly to the effect that ‘there was something very supporting about a glass of sherry.’
1892. Fox Irwin, Notes Fortific. (ed. 2), 82. In preparing a position for defence, certain supporting points or pivots would be selected.
1893. Westm. Gaz., 18 Feb., 8/1. A collapse in the entire market was only prevented by some strong supporting orders in such stocks as Milwaukees.
3. That gives assistance or relief; also, confirmatory, corroborative.
1799. Instr. & Reg. Cavalry (1813), 283. The supporting detachments, from which the skirmishers are advanced.
1892. Pall Mall G., 26 Sept., 5/1. A supporting party was taken as far as the Humboldt Glacier, where they turned back, and Mr. Peary and Mr. Astrup alone went on.
1897. Mary Kingsley, W. Africa, 525. This bore out the theory … [but] in the Bantu case I did not hear of such a supporting incident happening.
4. That provides subsistence or maintenance.
1897. Mary Kingsley, W. Africa, 51. In Spanish possessions alone is a supporting allowance made to missionaries.
1900. B. D. Jackson, Gloss. Bot. Terms, Supporting Plant, a plant upon or in which another grows; a host plant.
Hence Supportingly adv., so as to support; in quot. 1895, with an unshrinking spirit.
1839. Liberator (Boston), 5 July, 3/4. We are mortified that we don’t edit it [our paper] with such fire that the enemy himself should come and supportingly gaze at the light of it.
1895. Meredith, Amazing Marr., xl. [They] must be either voluble or supportingly proud to keep the skin from shrinking.
1896. Frances H. Burnett, Lady of Qual., xiii. 196. He gave her his arm and drew her quickly and supportingly away.
