prop
prop1 / präp/ • n. a pole or beam used as a support or to keep something in position, typically one that is not an integral part of the thing supported: 300 tubular steel props. ∎ fig. a person or thing that is a major source of support or assistance: the second institutional prop of conservative Spain was the army. ∎ Gram. a word used to fill a syntactic role without any specific meaning of its own, for example one in it's a nice one and it in it is raining.• v. (propped, prop·ping) [tr.] position something underneath (someone or something) for support: she propped her chin in the palm of her right hand. ∎ position (something or someone) more or less upright by leaning it against something else: a jug of milk with a note propped against it she propped the picture up on the mantlepiece. ∎ use an object to keep (something) in position: he found that the door to the office was propped open.PHRASAL VERBS: prop someone/something up provide support or assistance for someone or something that would otherwise fail or decline: foreign aid tends to prop up incompetent governments.prop2 • n. (usu. props) a portable object other than furniture or costumes used on the set of a play or movie.prop3 • n. inf. an aircraft propeller.