the unauthorized interference in a legal action by a person having no interest in it (as by helping one party with money or otherwise to continue the action) so as to obstruct justice or promote unnecessary litigation or unsettle the peace of the community; "unlike champerty, criminal maintenance does not necessarily involve personal profit"
payment extorted by gangsters on threat of violence; "every store in the neighborhood had to pay him protection"
the activity of protecting someone or something; "the witnesses demanded police protection"
the imposition of duties or quotas on imports in order to protect domestic industry against foreign competition; "he made trade protection a plank in the party platform"
the condition of being protected; "they were huddled together for protection"; "he enjoyed a sense of peace and protection in his new home"
a military operation (often involving new supplies of men and materiel) to strengthen a military force or aid in the performance of its mission; "they called for artillery support"
the act of bearing the weight of or strengthening; "he leaned against the wall for support"
aiding the cause or policy or interests of; "the president no longer had the support of his own party"; "they developed a scheme of mutual support"
the activity of providing for or maintaining by supplying with money or necessities; "his support kept the family together"; "they gave him emotional support during difficult times"
any device that bears the weight of another thing; "there was no place to attach supports for a shelf"
supporting structure that holds up or provides a foundation; "the statue stood on a marble support"
something providing immaterial assistance to a person or cause or interest; "the policy found little public support"; "his faith was all the support he needed"; "the team enjoyed the support of their fans"
the financial means whereby one lives; "each child was expected to pay for their keep"; "he applied to the state for support"; "he could no longer earn his own livelihood"
financial resources provided to make some project possible; "the foundation provided support for the experiment"
play a subordinate role to (another performer); "Olivier supported Gielgud beautifully in the second act"
support materially or financially; "he does not support his natural children"; "The scholarship supported me when I was in college"
give moral or psychological support, aid, or courage to; "She supported him during the illness"; "Her children always backed her up"