■ verb
1》 strengthen or support physically or mentally.
↘bear (the weight of an object).
2》 keep (something) going over time or continuously.
3》 suffer (something unpleasant).
4》 uphold or confirm the justice or validity of.
■ noun Music an effect or facility on a keyboard or electronic instrument whereby a note can be ~ed after the key is released.
Derivatives
~ed adjective
~edly adverb
~er noun
~ment noun
Origin
ME: from OFr. soustenir , from L. sustinere , from sub- 'from below' + tenere 'hold'.