gestützt

Gestützt is a German term formed from the verb stützen (to support, prop up). It functions as both the past participle of stützen and as an adjective, describing something that is supported physically or figuratively.

In a literal sense, gestützt describes objects that are held up by supports or braces, for example a building element, a camera on a tripod, or a statue on a pedestal. In a figurative sense, gestützt can describe arguments, claims, or conclusions that are backed by evidence or data. Commonly, it appears in phrases where the noun is said to be supported by something, such as gestützt by/through evidence or resources.

Typical constructions include gestützt auf, meaning based on or on the basis of. For instance, Eine These ist gestützt auf neue Belege means a thesis is supported by new evidence. Another common phrase is gestützt durch, used to indicate support provided by a person, organization, or mechanism, as in a structure gestützt durch Stützen or an argument gestützt durch credible sources. The form must agree with the noun it modifies in gender, number, and case when used attributively, while in predicative uses it remains in the appropriate form to match the subject.

Etymologically, gestützt derives from stützen with the past participle suffix -t, reflecting its dual role as a participle and an adjective. Related terms include Stütze (support, pillar) and unterstützen (to support, assist).

See also: stützen, Stütze, Unterstützung, gestützt auf.