crutch

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. A staff or support used by the physically injured or disabled as an aid in walking, usually designed to fit under the armpit and often used in pairs.
2. n. A forked leg rest on a sidesaddle.
3. n. A device used for assistance or support; a prop: a mnemonic crutch.
4. n. The crotch of a person or an animal.
5. n. A forked device or part.
6. v. To support on or as if on crutches; prop up.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. A support for the lame in walking, consisting of a staff of the proper length, with a crosspiece at one end so shaped as to fit easily under the armpit. The upper part of the staff is now commonly divided lengthwise into two parts, separated by an inserted piece used as a handle.
2. n. Hence Figuratively, old age.
3. n. Any fixture or mechanical device resembling a crutch or the head of a crutch. A forked rest for the leg on a woman's saddle.
4. n. A rack: as, a bacon-crutch.
5. To support on crutches; prop or sustain.
6. In soap-making, to stir forcibly with a crutch. See crutch, n., 3 .
7. n. A cross. See cross.
8. In leather manufacturing, to work with a crutch.

Wiktionary

1. n. A device to assist in motion as a cane, especially one that provides support under the arm to reduce weight on a leg.
2. n. Something that supports, often used negatively to indicate that it is not needed and causes an unhealthful dependency; a prop

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. A staff with a crosspiece at the head, to be placed under the arm or shoulder, to support the lame or infirm in walking.
2. n. A form of pommel for a woman's saddle, consisting of a forked rest to hold the leg of the rider.
3. n. A knee, or piece of knee timber.
4. n. A forked stanchion or post; a crotch. See Crotch.
5. v. To support on crutches; to prop up.

WordNet 3.0

1. n. a wooden or metal staff that fits under the armpit and reaches to the ground; used by disabled person while walking
2. n. anything that serves as an expedient