Category:Sustain

Sus*tain", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sustained; p. pr. & vb. n. Sustaining.] Etym: [oe. sustenen, susteinen, of. sustenir, sostenir, F. soutenir (the french prefix is properly fr. L. subtus below, fr. Sub under), l. sustinere; pref. sus- (see sub-) + tenere to hold. See Tenable, and cf. Sustenance.]

1. To keep from falling; to bear; to uphold; to support; as, a Foundation sustains the superstructure; a beast sustains a load; a Rope sustains a weight. Every pillar the temple to sustain. Chaucer.

2. Hence, to keep from sinking, as in despondence, or the like; to Support. No comfortable expectations of another life to sustain him under the Evils in this world. Tillotson.

3. To maintain; to keep alive; to support; to subsist; to nourish; As, provisions to sustain an army.

4. To aid, comfort, or relieve; to vindicate. Shak. His sons, who seek the tyrant to sustain. Dryden.

5. To endure without failing or yielding; to bear up under; as, to Sustain defeat and disappointment.

6. To suffer; to bear; to undergo. Shall turnus, then, such endless toil sustain dryden. You shall sustain more new disgraces. Shak.

7. To allow the prosecution of; to admit as valid; to sanction; to Continue; not to dismiss or abate; as, the court sustained the action Or suit.

8. To prove; to establish by evidence; to corroborate or confirm; to Be conclusive of; as, to sustain a charge, an accusation, or a Proposition.

Syn. -- to support; uphold; subsist; assist; relieve; suffer; undergo.

Sustain Sus*tain", n.

Defn: one who, or that which, upholds or sustains; a sustainer. [obs.] I waked again, for my sustain was the lord. Milton.