The word "support" is spelled with two p's, even though it is pronounced with only one. The phonetic transcription of this word is /səˈpɔːt/. The first syllable is pronounced with a short "uh" sound followed by the "p" sound. The second syllable is pronounced with a long "o" sound and a silent "r", followed by the "t" sound. Even though the second syllable is pronounced with only one "p", the spelling includes two in order to maintain consistency with the root word "port" and its Latin origins.
Support can be defined as the act or process of assisting, encouraging, or backing someone or something. It is a means of providing aid, help, or sustenance, which can be offered in various forms to address different needs or situations. Support can be both emotional and practical, encompassing a wide range of actions and behaviors.
Emotionally, support involves offering understanding, empathy, and encouragement to someone experiencing difficulties or challenges. It entails lending an ear for listening, offering kind words, and showing compassion. Emotional support aims to uplift and comfort individuals during trying times, helping them feel validated and cared for.
Practical support, on the other hand, involves taking tangible actions to assist someone in achieving a specific objective or alleviating a problem. This may include providing resources, materials, or financial aid, as well as offering guidance, advice, or expertise. Practical support can also involve actively participating in tasks or projects to lighten the load and enhance productivity.
Additionally, support can refer to maintaining or creating a structure or foundation that enables the stability or functionality of something. For instance, in the context of technology, support refers to technical assistance or troubleshooting provided to users of software, hardware, or electronic devices.
In summary, support encompasses both emotional and practical aid, ranging from offering empathy and encouragement to providing resources and assistance. It is a crucial component of human interactions and problem-solving, aiming to uplift, empower, and sustain individuals or systems in various ways.
• To bear or hold up; to endure without being overcome; to sustain; to prop; to maintain; to keep from fainting or sinking; to help; to substantiate.
• Sustaining power; the necessaries of life; food; that which upholds a person or thing from falling or sinking; assistance; aid; help.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "support" originates from the Latin word "supportare", which is a combination of the prefix "sub-" meaning "under" or "below" and "portare" meaning "to carry". The Latin word "supportare" evolved into the Old French word "supporter", and then the Middle English word "supporten", before ultimately becoming the modern English word "support".