v.tr.
1. support, bear the weight of, esp. for a long period.
2 give strength to; encourage, support.
3 (of food) give nourishment to.
4 endure, stand; bear up against.
5 undergo or suffer (defeat or injury etc.).
6 (of a court etc.) uphold or decide in favour of (an objection etc.).
7 substantiate or corroborate (a statement or charge).
8 maintain or keep (a sound, effort, etc.) going continuously.
9 continue to represent (a part, character, etc.) adequately.
Derivatives:
sustainable adj. sustainedly adv. sustainer n. sustainment n.
Etymology: ME f. AF sustein-, OF so(u)stein- stressed stem of so(u)stenir f. L sustinere sustent- (as SUB-, tenere hold)