I. sə-ˈstān transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English sustenen, from Anglo-French sustein-, stem of sustenir, from Latin sustinēre to hold up, sustain, from sub-, sus- up + tenēre 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 -ˈstā-nəd-lē, -ˈstānd-lē adverb
• sus·tain·er noun
II. noun
Date: 1972
: a musical effect that prolongs a note's resonance
utilizing heavy sustain on his guitar — Bill Dahl