v.
Pronunciation: s ə - ' st ā n
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English sustenen, from Anglo-French sustein-, stem of sustenir, from Latin sustin ē re to hold up, sustain, from sub-, sus- up + ten ē re to hold ― more at SUB- , THIN
Date: 13th century
1 : to give support or relief to
2 : to supply with sustenance : NOURISH
3 : KEEP UP , PROLONG
4 : to support the weight of : PROP also : to carry or withstand (a weight or pressure)
5 : to buoy up < sustain ed by hope>
6 a : to bear up under b : SUFFER , UNDERGO < sustain ed heavy losses>
7 a : to support as true, legal, or just b : to allow or admit as valid <the court sustain ed the motion>
8 : to support by adequate proof : CONFIRM <testimony that sustain s our contention>
– sus · tained · ly \ - ' st ā -n ə d-l ē , - ' st ā nd-l ē \ adverb
– sus · tain · er noun