a piece of wood, metal, etc. used to support something or keep it in position 支柱；支撑物 a person or thing that gives help or support to somebody/something that is weak 支持者；支柱；后盾 After being the emotional prop he needed for so long, she dared not leave him. 做了这么久他需要的感情支柱，她不敢离开他。 Many people use alcohol as a social prop. 许多人把酒精作为社会支柱。
- [usually plural]
a small object used by actors during the performance of a play or in a film 道具 - (also prop forward)
(in rugby 橄榄球 a player on either side of the front row of a scrum 支柱前锋
Word Originnoun senses 1 to 2 and noun sense 4 late Middle English: probably from Middle Dutch proppe ‘support (for vines)’. noun sense 3 mid 19th cent.: abbreviation of property.