sustentation

sus·ten·ta·tion

noun \-ˈtā-shən\

Definition of SUSTENTATION

1

: the act of sustaining : the state of being sustained: as a : maintenance, upkeep b : preservation, conservation c : maintenance of life, growth, or morale d : provision with sustenance

2

: something that sustains : support

— sus·ten·ta·tive \ˈsəs-tən-ˌtā-tiv, sə-ˈsten-tə-tiv\ adjective

Examples of SUSTENTATION

1. <argues that a new toll is needed to pay for the long-term sustentation of the city's bridges>
2. <the all-important sustentation of Mount Vernon, Monticello, and other national treasures>

Origin of SUSTENTATION

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin sustentation-, sustentatio act of holding up, from sustentare to hold up, frequentative of sustinēre to sustain

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to SUSTENTATION

Synonyms: care and feeding, conservation, conserving, keep, preservation, preserving, maintenance, upkeep

Related Words: conservancy; support, sustaining; care, custody, guardianship; defense, guarding, protection, safeguarding, safekeeping

Near Antonyms: dereliction, disregard, ignoring, inattention, neglect, negligence; damage, demolition, destruction, harm, hurt, injury, ruin, ruination

see all synonyms and antonyms

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