crutch
/ˈkɹʌt͡ʃ/ noun B2- A device to assist in motion as a cane, especially one that provides support under the arm to reduce weight on a leg. · He walked on crutches for a month until the cast was removed from his leg.
- Something or someone that supports, often used negatively to indicate that it is not needed and causes an unhealthy dependency; a prop. · Alcohol became a crutch to help him through the long nights; eventually it killed him.
- A form of pommel for a woman's saddle, consisting of a forked rest to hold the leg of the rider.
- A knee, or piece of knee timber.
- A forked stanchion or post.
- An improvised device, usually made from a piece of cardboard, to hold the last end of a joint.
Plural crutches
From the library
Here’s the record of the Tarleton murders, and the case of Vamberry, the wine merchant, and the adventure of the old Russian woman, and the singular affair of the aluminium crutch, as well as a full account of Ricoletti of the club-foot, and his abominable wife.
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