Main Entry: ¹sus·tain

Pronunciation: \sə-ˈstān\

Function: 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 <sustained by hope>
6 a : to bear up under b : suffer, undergo <sustained heavy losses>
7 a : to support as true, legal, or just b : to allow or admit as valid <the court sustained the motion>
8 : to support by adequate proof : confirm <testimony that sustains our contention>

— sus·tained·ly \-ˈstā-nəd-lē, -ˈstānd-lē\ adverb

— sus·tain·er noun