crutch

[ kruhch ]

noun

1. a staff or support to assist a lame or infirm person in walking, now usually with a crosspiece at one end to fit under the armpit.
2. any of various devices resembling this in shape or use.
3. anything that serves as a temporary and often inappropriate support, supplement, or substitute; prop:

   He uses liquor as a psychological crutch.

4. a forked support or part.
5. the crotch of the human body.
6. Also Nautical.
   1. a forked support for a boom or spar when not in use.
   2. a forked support for an oar on the sides or stern of a rowboat.
   3. a horizontal knee reinforcing the stern frames of a wooden vessel.
7. a forked device on the left side of a sidesaddle, consisting of two hooks, one of which is open at the bottom and serves to clamp the left knee and the other of which is open at the top and serves to support the right knee.

verb (used with object)

1. to support on crutches; prop; sustain.

crutch

/ krʌtʃ /

noun

1. a long staff of wood or metal having a rest for the armpit, for supporting the weight of the body
2. something that supports or sustains

   a crutch to the economy

3. See crotch
   another word for crotch
4. nautical
   1. a forked support for a boom or oar, etc
   2. a brace for reinforcing the frames at the stern of a wooden vessel

verb

1. tr to support or sustain (a person or thing) as with a crutch
2. slang.
   to clip (wool) from the hindquarters of a sheep

Other Words From

• crutchlike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of crutch¹

before 900; Middle English crucche, Old English cryce (oblique crycce ); cognate with Norwegian krykkja, Danish krykke, German Krücke, Dutch kruk. See crook ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of crutch¹

Old English crycc; related to Old High German krucka, Old Norse krykkja; see crosier , crook

Example Sentences

You know, we do want children to continue to grow and develop and not necessarily use the AI as a crutch for all of that process, but we do want the AI to maybe help.

From MIT Technology Review

Meanwhile, serious-minded movies that exemplify a more accessible and aspirational worldview are unfairly dismissed and pigeonholed — never mind that such films are much harder to execute without the crutches of sensationalism and vulgarity.

From Washington Post

Because of a war injury, his rotting right leg needed amputation, but he bounced around on crutches, shaking hands and chatting up fans, always seeking mass appeal.

From Washington Post

Performance marketing isn’t a new phenomenon, but it has become an important crutch over the past several years, particularly among DTC brands.

From Digiday

“Metabolism can increase 15 to 20 percent with trauma, minor surgery, and the use of crutches,” says Catherine Kruppa, a masters marathoner and registered dietitian who owns Advice for Eating, in Houston.

From Outside Online

After my crying spell stopped, I gritted my teeth, tucked my crutch under my right arm, and turned to my husband.

From The Daily Beast

Ironically, the same psychological crutch of self-justification can then help in these situations.

From The Daily Beast

For me, technology is a delightfully helpful crutch to scaffold me into more advanced meditative practices.

From The Daily Beast

“Sometimes swearing is a crutch that can be leaned on rather than used for emphasis,” he says.

From The Daily Beast

Although I do love, I think that sometimes swearing is a crutch that can be leaned on rather than used for emphasis.

From The Daily Beast

He was between the wheels when we stopped, and I planted a crutch on one of his bare feet and embraced him.

From Project Gutenberg

At the mention of the doughty Scot I pounded the floor with my crutch and repeated "Dug—dug—dug."

From Project Gutenberg

My crutch emphasized this mandate, but I could not see how it was received, for every scholar's face was hidden from me by a book.

From Project Gutenberg

I hurled my pipe into the smouldering coals; I tossed a crutch at little Colonel, and the dog ran howling from the room.

From Project Gutenberg

Ezekiel designed a statue located at Lynchburg in honor of Major Daniel which shows him seated and holding a crutch.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• cane