PROP (propped, propping)

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

Irregular inflected forms: propped    , propping   

 Dictionary entry overview: What does prop mean? 

• PROP (noun)
  The noun PROP has 3 senses:

1. a support placed beneath or against something to keep it from shaking or falling

2. any movable articles or objects used on the set of a play or movie

3. a propeller that rotates to push against air

  Familiarity information: PROP used as a noun is uncommon.

• PROP (verb)
  The verb PROP has 1 sense:

1. support by placing against something solid or rigid

  Familiarity information: PROP used as a verb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PROP (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A support placed beneath or against something to keep it from shaking or falling

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("prop" is a kind of...):

support (supporting structure that holds up or provides a foundation)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "prop"):

pitprop; sprag (a wooden prop used to support the roof of a mine)

Derivation:

prop (support by placing against something solid or rigid)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Any movable articles or objects used on the set of a play or movie

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

prop; property

Context example:

before every scene he ran down his checklist of props

Hypernyms ("prop" is a kind of...):

object; physical object (a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "prop"):

custard pie (a prop consisting of an open pie filled with real or artificial custard; thrown in slapstick comedies)

Holonyms ("prop" is a part of...):

mise en scene; setting; stage setting (arrangement of scenery and properties to represent the place where a play or movie is enacted)

Sense 3

Meaning:

A propeller that rotates to push against air

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

airplane propeller; airscrew; prop

Hypernyms ("prop" is a kind of...):

propeller; propellor (a mechanical device that rotates to push against air or water)

Holonyms ("prop" is a part of...):

propeller plane (an airplane that is driven by a propeller)

• PROP (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they prop    ... he / she / it props   
Past simple: propped   
Past participle: propped   
-ing form: propping   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Support by placing against something solid or rigid

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Synonyms:

prop; prop up; shore; shore up

Context example:

shore and buttress an old building

Hypernyms (to "prop" is one way to...):

hold; hold up; support; sustain (be the physical support of; carry the weight of)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "prop"):

bolster (prop up with a pillow or bolster)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s something PP

Derivation:

prop (a support placed beneath or against something to keep it from shaking or falling)

 Context examples 

Someone had brought the water from the brook, and Lord John was sprinkling my head with it, while Challenger and Summerlee were propping me up, with concern in their faces.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

"If I can manage the young one, I can the old one," muttered Jo, as she walked away, leaving Laurie bent over a railroad map with his head propped up on both hands.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Then another element, aluminum, props the cell wall open, allowing a flood of iron to enter the cell.

(Scientists discover how blue and green clays kill bacteria, NSF)

He propped the book before him, and propped his eyelids with his fingers, and fell asleep with his eyes wide open.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

He could not but observe, however, that as he placed her down her knees seemed to fail her, and she could scarcely prop herself up with her staff.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Sometimes their feet failed them, and they sank together in a heap; they were then propped up with the monitors' high stools.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

The bed was in the centre of the room, and in it, propped up with pillows, was the owner of the house.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Jonathan woke a little after the hour, and all was ready, and he sat up in bed, propped up with pillows.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

I plucked up courage at once, crossed the threshold, and walked right up to the man where he stood, propped on his crutch, talking to a customer.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

He shook his fist angrily at the gleaming eyes, and began securely to prop his moccasins before the fire.

(White Fang, by Jack London)