Sus*tain" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sustained (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Sustaining.] [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.
© Webster 1913.
Sus*tain" (?), n.
One who, or that which, upholds or sustains; a sustainer.
[Obs.]
I waked again, for my sustain was the Lord.
Milton.
© Webster 1913.