Prop

Part of speech: noun, verb

Pronunciation: /pɹɒp/

Definitions

1. An object used to support or hold something upright ; to support or hold something in position ; to advocate for or promote an idea or person
2. A device that props up or stabilizes an item ; the act of physically supporting or holding up something ; to actively defend or encourage a cause or individual
3. A structure or item that keeps something standing or steady ; to give support by holding something ; to publicly support or push forward a concept or individual

Etymology: The verb and the noun "prop" in its support sense come from Middle Dutch "proppe," which meant a support for a vine or plant as well as a stopper for a bottle. The same root gives Middle Low German "proppe" (plug or stopper) and German "Pfropfen" (plug), so the original idea is of something wedged in to fill a gap or hold a thing in place. English took the word in Middle English as "proppe," meaning a support or prop for a plant, and the sense of holding something up carried over naturally from there. The word has also been shortened, or clipped, from several longer words. It is a clipping of "property," "propeller," "proposition," "propagation," and "testosterone propionate." Each of these is a separate shortening, so the same spelling can stand for quite different things depending on context.

Synonyms: support, brace, stabilizer, strut, column

Antonyms: de-stabilizer, removal, displacement