support (v.)

late 14c., supporten, "to hold up, prop up, bear the weight of;" also "to aid" someone, "speak in support or advocacy of;" also "put up with, bear without opposition, endure without being overcome, tolerate," from Old French suporter "to bear, endure, sustain, support" (14c.) and directly from Latin supportare "convey, carry, bring up, bring forward." This is from assimilated form of sub "up from under" (see sub-) + portare "to carry" (from PIE root *per- (2) "to lead, pass over").

It is attested by early 15c. as "supply funds or means for," especially "supply with the necessities of life." Of abstract things (a course of action, etc.) by 1630s. In reference to motions, propositions, etc., by 1736. In military use, of troops in battle, by 1848. In theater, originally "act (the part), represent on stage" (1709); by 1889 as "accompany or act second to a leading performer." The sense of "be a fan of" a sports team is by 1952. Related: Supported; supporting.

late 14c., "act of assistance, backing, help, aid," from support (v.). The meaning "that which supports, one who provides assistance, protection, backing, etc." is from early 15c. The sense of "bearing of expense" is by mid-15c.

As "subsistence, that which maintains life," by 1590s. The physical sense of "that which supports" (of a prop, pillar, foundation, etc.) is from 1560s. The meaning "services which enable something to fulfil its function and remain in operation" (as in tech support) is from 1953.

Elizabethan poets seem to have wanted a fuller noun; supportance is from late 15c., and Greene, Nashe, Shakespeare, Ford, and Massinger all used it. Milton had supportment, the Elizabethans also had supportal, and the 17c. supporture. Chaucer used supportation, which survived a while in formulas and official language.