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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.

Capable of being supported, maintained, or endured; endurable. -- Sup*port"a*ble*ness, n. -- Sup*port"a*bly, adv.

Support. [Obs.] Shak.

Maintenance; support. [Obs.] Chaucer. Bacon.

One who, or that which, supports; as, oxygen is a supporter of life. The sockets and supporters of flowers are figured. Bacon. The saints have a . . . supporter in all their miseries. South.

Abounding with support. [Obs.] Chapman.

Having no support. Milton.

Support. [Obs.] Sir H. Wotton.

A female supporter. [R.] You are my gracious patroness and supportress. Massinger.

Incapable of being supported or borne; unendurable; insufferable; intolerable; as, insupportable burdens; insupportable pain. -- In`sup*port"a*ble*ness, n. -- In`sup*port"a*bly, adv.

Insupportable; unendurable. -- Un`sup*port"a*ble*ness, n. Bp. Wilkins. -- Un`sup*port"a*bly, adv.

To support, uphold, or aid; to maintain; -- in a good sense. [Obs.]. Our duty is urged, and our confidence abetted. Jer. Taylor.

ir deaths thou shalt be accessary. Shak. Amongst many secondary and accessary causes that support monarchy, these are not of least reckoning. Milton.

Supported on both sides by other charges; also, side by side.

Help; support; also, a helper. [Obs.] Waterhouse.

Help or support; an auxiliary. Grote.

Proceeding from adulterous intercourse. Hence: Spurious; without the support of law; illegal. When any particular class of artificers or traders thought proper to act as a corporation without a charter, such were called adulterine guilds. Adam Smith.

The front edge (in direction of motion) of a supporting surface; -- contr. with following edge, which is the rear edge.

The act of pleading for or supporting; work of advocating; intercession.

To plead in favor of; to defend by argument, before a tribunal or the public; to support, vindicate, or recommend publicly. To advocate the cause of thy client. Bp. Sanderson (1624). This is the only thing distinct and sensible, that has been advocated. Burke. Eminent orators were engaged to advocate his cause. Mitford…