[sus.ten.ta.tion] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L sustentation-, sustentatio act of holding up, fr. sustentare to hold up, freq. of sustinere to sustain] (14c) 1: the act of sustaining: the state of being sustained: as a: maintenance, upkeep b: preservation, conservation c: maintenance of life, growth, or morale d: provision with sustenance
2: something that sustains: support -- sus.ten.ta.tive adj