— sustentational , adj. — sustentative /sus"teuhn tay'tiv, seuh sten"teuh tiv/ , adj.
/sus'teuhn tay"sheuhn/ , n.
1. maintenance in being or activity; the sustaining of life through vital processes.
2. provision with means or funds for upkeep.
3. means of sustaining life; sustenance.
[ 1350-1400; ME sustentation- (s. of sustentatio ) an upholding, equiv. to sustentat ( us ) (ptp. of sustentare, freq. of sustinere to SUSTAIN) + -ion- -ION ]