(n.) One who defends; one who maintains, supports, protects, or vindicates; a champion; an advocate; a vindicator.
Thesaurus Entries
Maecenas, abettor, admirer, advocate, aficionado, angel, apologete, apologist, apologizer, backer, buff, champion, dependence, encourager, endorser, exponent, fan, favorer, friend at court, guard, justifier, lover, mainstay, maintainer, paladin, paranymph, partisan, patron, patroness, pillar, pleader, promoter, proponent, protagonist, protector, protectress, reliance, rock, safekeeper, second, seconder, sectary, sider, sponsor, stalwart, standby, successful advocate, support, supporter, sustainer, sympathizer, tower, tower of strength, upholder, vindicator, votary, well-wisher, whitewasher
