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 to2: to supply with sustenance : nourish3: keep up, prolong4: 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