A staff for a lame or infirm person to lean upon in walking; now a staff with a cross-piece at the top to fit under the armpit (usually a pair of cru…

A support or stay.

The action of sustaining; sustenance, support. Obsolete.

A chief source of support or assistance; a prop, mainstay. Now rare and archaic.

figurative. A support, a prop, a stay. Cf. pillar, n. 2. Now rare.

figurative. Something which serves as a support or stay.

A person who keeps others in a state of good health or well-being, or in good spirits; one who supports, encourages, or strengthens the spirits or…

One who or that which supports or upholds. Also figurative.

figurative. A support, a stay. Cf. crutch, n. 1c. Obsolete. rare after 15th cent.

figurative and in figurative contexts: a person who or thing which provides essential support; an upholder of an institution or principle.

= support, n. 6a.

concrete. One who or that which strengthens or supports; a support, a source of strength. Obsolete.

A person or thing that provides assistance, backing, encouragement, or comfort; a strengthener of a person's spirits or resolution. Also: a…

figurative. A person or thing that is a source of support or assistance; an upholder of some institution. Obsolete.

Stay, support.

One who or that which supports or sustains. †Also spec. (see supportasse, n.).

figurative. (Now rare; common in the 16th cent.)

figurative. A thing or a person that affords support; an object of reliance.

figurative. A person or thing that is a major source of support or assistance; a provider of help or comfort; an upholder of some institution.

figurative. A person or thing that supports or sustains; a ‘prop’, ‘pillar’. Scottish.

A prop or support placed under a thing. Usually figurative.

A person, circumstance, etc., that helps maintain or promote a condition or state of affairs. Cf. sustainer, n. 1a. Obsolete.

A thing which acts as a support or comfort to a person, esp. Christ or religious faith. Obsolete.

figurative. A support or prop.

A means of supporting, propping, or holding up a body; = support, n. 7a. Also figurative. Obsolete.

Something which supports or sustains a person or thing. Obsolete.

concrete. Something to lean on; a support.

Something on which a person relies or depends. Now rare.

figurative. That on which something is conceived to hang or be supported and to turn; a pivot, prop. generally.

figurative. Support or prop. (cf. pillar, n.)

figurative. A prop or support. Obsolete. rare.

figurative and in extended use: something likened to a gable end in being the extremity of a thing, or in forming a support or foundation for…

figurative and in figurative contexts. A means of support, survival, or rescue; (Banking) an emergency fund made available to a bank or other…

A source of strength, a support. Obsolete.