were a source of strength

support, ground, foundation, base, basis; terra firma; bearing, fulcrum, bait [U.S.], caudex crib; point d'appui, , purchase footing, hold, locus standi; landing place, landing stage; stage, platform; block; rest, resting place; groundwork, substratum, riprap, sustentation, subvention; floor (basement)., supporter; aid; prop, stand, anvil, fulciment; cue rest, jigger; monkey; stay, shore, skid, rib, truss, bandage; sleeper; stirrup, stilts, shoe, sole, heel, splint, lap, bar, rod, boom, sprit, outrigger; ratlings., staff, stick, crutch, alpenstock, baton, staddle; bourdon, cowlstaff, lathi, mahlstick., post, pillar, shaft, thill, column, pilaster; pediment, pedicle; pedestal; plinth, shank, leg, socle, zocle; buttress, jamb, mullion, abutment; baluster, banister, stanchion; balustrade; headstone., frame, framework; scaffold, skeleton, beam, rafter, girder, lintel, joist, travis, trave, cornerstone, summer, transom; rung, round, step, sill; angle rafter, hip rafter; cantilever, modillion; crown post, king post; vertebra., columella, backbone; keystone; axle, axletree; axis; arch, mainstay., trunnion, pivot, rowlock; peg (pendency); tiebeam (fastening); thole pin., board, ledge, shelf, hob, bracket, trevet, trivet, arbor, rack; mantel, mantle piece, mantleshelf; slab, console; counter, dresser; flange, corbel; table, trestle; shoulder; perch; horse; easel, desk; clotheshorse, hatrack; retable; teapoy., seat, throne, dais; divan, musnud; chair, bench, form, stool, sofa, settee, stall; arm chair, easy chair, elbow chair, rocking chair; couch, fauteuil, woolsack, ottoman, settle, squab, bench; aparejo, faldstool, horn; long chair, long sleeve chair, morris chair; lamba chauki, lamba kursi; saddle, pannel, pillion; side saddle, pack saddle; pommel., bed, berth, pallet, tester, crib, cot, hammock, shakedown, trucklebed, cradle, litter, stretcher, bedstead; four poster, French bed, bunk, kip, palang; bedding, bichona, mattress, paillasse; pillow, bolster; mat, rug, cushion., footstool, hassock; tabouret; tripod., Atlas, Persides, Atlantes, Caryatides, Hercules.

be supported; lie on, sit on, recline on, lean on, loll on, rest on, stand on, step on, repose on, abut on, bear on, be based on; have at one's back; bestride, bestraddle., support, bear, carry, hold, sustain, shoulder; hold up, back up, bolster up, shore up; uphold, upbear; prop; under prop, under pin, under set; riprap; bandage., give support, furnish support, afford support, supply support, lend support, give foundations, furnish foundations, afford foundations, supply foundations, lend foundations; bottom, found, base, ground, imbed, embed., maintain, keep on foot; aid.

supporting, supported; fundamental; dorsigerous.

astride on, straddle.