sustain

views updated May 18 2018

sus·tain / səˈstān/ • v. [tr.] 1. strengthen or support physically or mentally: this thought had sustained him throughout the years | [as adj.] (sustaining) a sustaining breakfast of bacon and eggs. ∎  cause to continue or be prolonged for an extended period or without interruption: he cannot sustain a normal conversation | [as adj.] (sustained) several years of sustained economic growth. ∎  (of a performer) represent (a part or character) convincingly: he sustained the role with burly resilience. ∎  bear (the weight of an object) without breaking or falling: he sagged against her so that she could barely sustain his weight | fig. his health will no longer enable him to sustain the heavy burdens of office. 2. undergo or suffer (something unpleasant, esp. an injury): he died after sustaining severe head injuries.3. uphold, affirm, or confirm the justice or validity of: the allegations of discrimination were sustained.• n. Mus. an effect or facility on a keyboard or electronic instrument whereby a note can be sustained after the key is released.DERIVATIVES: sus·tain·ed·ly / -nidlē/ adv.sus·tain·er n.sus·tain·ment n.ORIGIN: Middle English: from Old French soustenir, from Latin sustinere, from sub- ‘from below’ + tenere ‘hold.’

sustain

views updated May 18 2018

sustain †support, uphold the course of, keep in being XIII; endure without failing; bear the weight of XIV. ME. sos-, susteine — AN. sustein-, OF. so(u)stein-, tonic stem of so(u)stenir (mod. soutenir) — L. sustinēre, f. SUB- + tenēre hold, keep.
So sustenance means of subsistence XIII; act of sustaining XIV. — AN. sustenaunce, OF. so(u)stenance (mod. soutenance). sustentation XIV. — (O)F. or L.

Sustain

views updated May 14 2018

SUSTAIN

To carry on; to maintain. To affirm, uphold or approve, as when an appellate court sustains the decision of a lower court. To grant, as when a judge sustains an objection to testimony or evidence, he or she agrees with the objection and gives it effect.

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