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Where does the word "support" come from? It comes from Latin supportare, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).
Read the full story
Where does the word "support" come from? It comes from Latin supportare, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).
Support’s story begins in Latin: supportare meant “to carry under, to bear up.” To carry under, to bear up, from sub- (under) and portare (to carry). It reached English by 1300s as support. Settled as the English word for holding something up, or providing help. Today, support means to hold something up, or to provide help, encouragement, or approval.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient supportare "to carry under, to bear up", to carry under, to bear up, from sub- (under) and portare (to carry).
- Stage 2 · English · 1300s support "to hold something up, or to provide help or encouragement", settled as the English word for holding something up, or providing help.