Verb

(en verb)

(senseid)To keep from falling.

Don’t move that beam! It supports the whole platform.

To answer questions and resolve problems regarding something sold.

Sure they sell the product, but do they support it?

To back a cause, party etc. mentally or with concrete aid.

I support France in the World Cup

To help, particularly financially.

The government supports the arts in several ways.

To verify; to make good; to substantiate; to establish; to sustain.

The testimony is not sufficient to support the charges.

The evidence will not support the statements or allegations.

* J. Edwards

to urge such arguments, as though they were sufficient to support and demonstrate a whole scheme of moral philosophy

To serve, as in a customer-oriented mindset; to give support to.

The IT Department supports the research organization, but not the sales force.

I don't make decisions: I just support those who do.

To be accountable for, or involved with, but not responsible for.

I support the administrative activities of the executive branch of the organization

(archaic) To endure without being overcome; bear; undergo; to tolerate.

* Dryden

This fierce demeanour and his insolence / The patience of a god could not support .

* 1881 , :

For a strong affection such moments are worth supporting , and they will end well; for your advocate is in your lover's heart and speaks her own language

To assume and carry successfully, as the part of an actor; to represent or act; to sustain.

to support the character of King Lear

Verb

(head)

(auxiliary)

If I should be late, go without me.

Should you need extra blankets, you will find them in the closet.

* 1922 , (Margery Williams), (The Velveteen Rabbit)

It was a long weary time, for the Boy was too ill to play, and the little Rabbit found it rather dull with nothing to do all day long. But he snuggled down patiently, and looked forward to the time when the Boy should be well again, and they would go out in the garden amongst the flowers and the butterflies and play splendid games in the raspberry thicket like they used to.

(auxiliary) Be obliged to; have an obligation to; ought to;

You should brush your teeth every day.

What do I think? What should I think?

* {{quote-news

, date = 21 August 2012 , first = Ed , last = Pilkington , title = Death penalty on trial: should Reggie Clemons live or die? , newspaper = The Guardian , url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/aug/21/death-penalty-trial-reggie-clemons?newsfeed=true , page = , passage = Next month, Clemons will be brought before a court presided over by a "special master", who will review the case one last time. The hearing will be unprecedented in its remit, but at its core will be a simple issue: should Reggie Clemons live or die? }}

* '>citation

(auxiliary) Will likely (become or do something);

You should be warm enough with that coat.

(modern) A variant of would.

* 1817 , Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey?

I should like to dine with him. I dare say he gives famous dinners.

* 1900 , , (The Wonderful Wizard of Oz)

"If our friends, the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman, were only with us," said the Lion, "I should be quite happy."

* 1900 , L. Frank Baum , The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Chapter 23

"Your Silver Shoes will carry you over the desert," replied Glinda. "If you had known their power you could have gone back to your Aunt Em the very first day you came to this country." "But then I should not have had my wonderful brains!" cried the Scarecrow. "I might have passed my whole life in the farmer's cornfield."