propn. A shell, used as a die. See Props.()v. t.[Akin to LG. & D. proppen to cram, stuff, thrust into, stop, G. pfropfen, Dan. proppe, Sw. proppa; of uncertain origin, cf. G. pfropfen to graft, fr. L. propago set, layer of a plant, slip, shoot. Cf. 3d. Prop, Propagate.] To support, or prevent from falling, by placing something under or against; as, to prop up a fence or an old building; (Fig.) to sustain; to maintain; as, to prop a declining state.(Shak.)Till the bright mountains prop the incumbent sky. (Pope.)For being not propp'd by ancestry. (Shak.)I prop myself upon those few supports that are left me. (Pope.)n.[Akin to LG., D., & Dan. prop stopple, stopper, cork, Sw. propp, G. pfropf. See Prop, v.] That which sustains an incumbent weight; that on which anything rests or leans for support; a support; a stay; as, a prop for a building.(Shak.)a.[Gr. to teach beforehand; before + to bring up a child, to educate, teach, fr. , , a child.] Of, pertaining to, or conveying, preliminary instruction; introductory to any art or science; instructing beforehand.()