supportive English · revision 10348

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1593|origins=en support}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /səˈpɔːtɪv/ ''(UK)''; /səˈpɔɹtɪv/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is from the verb [[support]] with the suffix [[-ive]].^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(SOED 2002)

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+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Sustaining, supporting, at first figuratively: 1593, the 1590s in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

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+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Called rare about 1900 by the first edition of the OED and by the Century Dictionary, it has since grown common.^(Etymonline) The Elizabethans also had supportful.^(Etymonline) ''Supportiveness'' is from 1968.^(OED 1989) The variant supportative (1972) was condemned by the OED as unnecessary.^(Etymonline) In medicine, supportive treatment improves the general condition rather than acting on the disease.^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1593 – supporting.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1968 – supportiveness.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1972 – supportative.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Giving support or help, especially moral or emotional encouragement.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(medicine)'' Of treatment, intended to improve the patient's general condition.^(SOED 2002)

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+ ==Word family==

+ * [[supportively]]

+ * [[supportiveness]]

+ * [[nonsupportive]]

+ * [[unsupportive]]

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+ ==Related words==

+ * [[support]]

+ * [[supporter]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}