uphold

Meaning

To hold up; to lift on high; to elevate.
To keep erect; to support; to sustain; to keep from falling
To support by approval or encouragement, to confirm (something which has been questioned)

Frequency

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˌʌpˈhəʊld/

Etymology

From Middle English upholden, equivalent to up- + hold. Compare Dutch ophouden (“to stop, cease, hold up”), German aufhalten (“to stop, halt, detain”). Compare also Middle Low German upholt, Old Norse upphald (“uphold, support”).