sustain

Sustain is defined as to support something or to endure a trial or hardship.

(verb)

  1. An example of sustain is for a foundation to support the house.
  2. An example of sustain is to survive days without food or water.

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See sustain in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb

  1. to keep in existence; keep up; maintain or prolong: to sustain a mood
  2. to provide for the support of; specif., to provide sustenance or nourishment for
  3. to support from or as from below; carry the weight or burden of
  4. to strengthen the spirits, courage, etc. of; comfort; buoy up; encourage
  5. to bear up against; endure; withstand
  6. to undergo or suffer (an injury, loss, etc.)
  7. to uphold the validity or justice of: to sustain a verdict
  8. to confirm; corroborate

Origin: ME susteinen < OFr sustenir < L sustinere < sus- (see sub-), under + tenere, to hold (see thin)

Related Forms:

See sustain in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb sus·tained, sus·tain·ing, sus·tains
  1. To keep in existence; maintain.
  2. To supply with necessities or nourishment; provide for.
  3. To support from below; keep from falling or sinking; prop.
  4. To support the spirits, vitality, or resolution of; encourage.
  5. To bear up under; withstand: can't sustain the blistering heat.
  6. To experience or suffer: sustained a fatal injury.
  7. To affirm the validity of: The judge has sustained the prosecutor's objection.
  8. To prove or corroborate; confirm.
  9. To keep up (a joke or assumed role, for example) competently.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English sustenen

Origin: , from Old French sustenir

Origin: , from Latin sustinēre

Origin: : sub-, from below; see sub-

Origin: + tenēre, to hold; see ten- in Indo-European roots

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Related Forms:

  • sus·tainˌa·bilˈi·ty noun
  • sus·tainˈa·ble adjective
  • sus·tainˈer noun
  • sus·tainˈment noun

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