sustain

• POS: Verb (transitive)
• HYPHEN: sus=tain
• COUNT in NET: 13 in 13 verses (in OT : 13 in 13 verses)

CIDE DICTIONARY

sustain, v. t. [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.].

•  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.  [1913 Webster]

  "Every pillar the temple to sustain."  [1913 Webster]
•  Hence, to keep from sinking, as in despondence, or the like; to support.  [1913 Webster]

  "No comfortable expectations of another life to sustain him under the evils in this world."  [1913 Webster]
•  To maintain; to keep alive; to support; to subsist; to nourish; as, provisions to sustain an army.  [1913 Webster]
•  To aid, comfort, or relieve; to vindicate.  Shak.  [1913 Webster]

  "His sons, who seek the tyrant to sustain."  [1913 Webster]
•  To endure without failing or yielding; to bear up under; as, to sustain defeat and disappointment.  [1913 Webster]
•  To suffer; to bear; to undergo.  [1913 Webster]

  "Shall Turnus, then, such endless toil sustain?"  [1913 Webster]

  "You shall sustain more new disgraces."  [1913 Webster]
•  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.  [1913 Webster]
•  To prove; to establish by evidence; to corroborate or confirm; to be conclusive of; as, to sustain a charge, an accusation, or a proposition.  [1913 Webster]

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

sustain, n. 

 One who, or that which, upholds or sustains; a sustainer.  [1913 Webster]
"I waked again, for my sustain was the Lord."  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

sustain, v.tr.
1 support, bear the weight of, esp. for a long period.
2 give strength to; encourage, support.
3 (of food) give nourishment to.
4 endure, stand; bear up against.
5 undergo or suffer (defeat or injury etc.).
6 (of a court etc.) uphold or decide in favour of (an objection etc.).
7 substantiate or corroborate (a statement or charge).
8 maintain or keep (a sound, effort, etc.) going continuously.
9 continue to represent (a part, character, etc.) adequately.

Derivative

sustainable adj. sustainedly adv. sustainer n. sustainment n.

Etymology

ME f. AF sustein-, OF so(u)stein- stressed stem of so(u)stenir f. L sustinere sustent- (as SUB-, tenere hold)

THESAURUS

sustain

abide, abide with, admit, advocate, affirm, afford support, allege in support, allow, answer, approve, argue for, assert, attest, authenticate, authorize, back, back up, be exposed to, be subjected to, bear, bear out, bear up, bear up under, bear with, beef up, befriend, bide, board, bolster, bolster up, brace, brace up, brave, bread, brook, buoy, buoy up, buttress, care for, carry, carry on, case harden, certify, champion, cherish, circumstantiate, coddle, confirm, conserve, contend for, continue, continue to be, copyright, corroborate, cosset, counter, cradle, crutch, cultivate, cushion, defeat time, defend, defy time, digest, dine, document, dry-nurse, dwell, encounter, endorse, endure, espouse, exist, experience, extend, favor, feed, feel, finance, float, float high, fodder, fondle, forage, fortify, foster, fund, gird, give support, go, go on, go through, grass, gratify, graze, guard, hang in, hang in there, hang tough, harden, have, hold, hold on, hold out, hold up, invigorate, keep, keep afloat, keep alive, keep going, keep intact, keep inviolate, keep on, keep safe, keep up, know, labor under, last, last long, last out, lavish care on, lend support, lengthen, live, live on, live through, lug, lump, lump it, mainstay, maintain, make a plea, meat, meet, meet up with, meet with, mess, mother, nerve, not destroy, not endanger, not expend, not use up, not waste, nourish, nurse, nurture, nutrify, pack, pamper, pass through, pasture, patent, pay, perdure, perennate, perpetuate, persevere, persist, persist in, pillow, plead for, preserve, prevail, probate, prolong, prop, prop up, protect, protract, prove, provision, put up with, ratify, rebut, recognize, refresh, refute, regale, register, reinforce, reinvigorate, remain, reply, respond, restrengthen, retain, ride high, riposte, run, run on, run up against, sanction, satisfy, save, say in defense, see, shore, shore up, shoulder, spare, speak for, speak up for, spend, spoon-feed, stand, stand by, stand for, stand under, stand up for, stay, stay on, steel, stick, stick up for, stiffen, stomach, strengthen, subsidize, subsist, substantiate, subvention, subventionize, suckle, suffer, support, survive, take up with, tarry, taste, temper, tide over, tolerate, tote, toughen, underbrace, undergird, undergo, underlie, underpin, underset, upbear, uphold, upkeep, uplift, upraise, urge reasons for, validate, verify, waft, warrant, wear, wear well, weather, wet-nurse, wine and dine, withstand

ROGET THESAURUS

sustain

Preservation

VB preserve, maintain, keep, sustain, support, hold, keep up, keep alive, refrigerate, keep on ice, not willingly let die, bank up, nurse, save, rescue, be safe, make safe, take care of, guard, stare super antiquas vias, hold one's own, hold one's ground, stand one's ground, embalm, cure, salt, pickle, season, kyanize, bottle, pot, tin, can, sterilize, pasteurize, radiate, dry, lyophilize, freeze- dry, concentrate, evaporate, freeze, quick-freeze, deep-freeze, husband.

Aid

VB aid, assist, help, succor, lend one's aid, come to the aid, of, contribute, subscribe to, bring aid, give aid, furnish aid, afford aid, supply aid, give a helping hand, stretch a hand, lend a helping hand, lend a hand, bear a helping hand, hold out a hand, hold out a helping hand, give one a life, give one a cast, give one a turn, take by the hand, take in tow, help a lame dog over a stile, lend wings to, relieve, rescue, set up, set agoing, set on one's legs, bear through, pull through, give new life to, be the making of, reinforce, reenforce, recruit, set forward, put forward, push forward, give a lift, give a shove, give an impulse to, promote, further, forward, advance expedite, speed, quicken, hasten, support, sustain, uphold, prop, hold up, bolster, cradle, nourish, nurture, nurse, dry nurse, suckle, put out to nurse, manure, cultivate, force, foster, cherish, foment, feed the flame, fan the flame, serve, do service to, tender to, pander to, administer to, subminister to, minister to, tend, attend, wait on, take care of, entertain, smooth the bed of death, oblige, accommodate, consult the wishes of, humor, cheer, encourage, second, stand by, back, back up, pay the piper, abet, work for, make interest for, stick up for, take up the cudgels for, take up the cause of, espouse the cause of, adopt the cause of, advocate, beat up for recruits, press into the service, squire, give moral support to, keep in countenance, countenance, patronize, lend oneself to, lend one's countenance to, smile upon, shine upon, favor, befriend, take in hand, enlist under the banners of, side with, be of use to, subserve, benefit, render a service, conduce.

Continuance in action

VB continue, persist, go on, jog on, keep on, run on, hold on, abide, keep, pursue, stick to its course, take its course, maintain its course, carry on, keep up, sustain, uphold, hold up, keep on foot, follow up, perpetuate, maintain, preserve, harp upon, keep going, keep alive, keep the pot boiling, keep up the ball, keep up the good work, die in harness, die with one's boots on, hold on the even tenor of one's way, pursue the even tenor of one's way, let be, stare super antiquas vias, quieta non movere, let things take their course, stare decisis (Jurisprudence).

Strength

VB be strong, be stronger, overmatch, render strong, give strength, strengthen, invigorate, brace, nerve, fortify, sustain, harden, case harden, steel, gird, screw up, wind up, set up, gird up one's loins, brace up one's loins, recruit, set on one's legs, vivify, refresh, refect, reinforce, reenforce.

Feeling

VB feel, receive an impression, be impressed with, entertain feeling, harbor feeling, cherish feeling, respond, catch the flame, catch the infection, enter the spirit of, bear, suffer, support, sustain, endure, thole, aby, abide, experience, taste, prove, labor under, smart under, bear the brunt of, brave, stand, swell, glow, warm, flush, blush, change color, mantle, turn color, turn pale, turn red, turn black in the face, tingle, thrill, heave, pant, throb, palpitate, go pitapat, tremble, quiver, flutter, twitter, shake, be agitated, be excited, look blue, look black, wince, draw a deep breath, impress.

Agency

VB be in action, operate, work, act, act upon, perform, play, support, sustain, strain, maintain, take effect, quicken, strike, come play, come bring into operation, have play, have free play, bring to bear upon.

Support

VB be supported, lie on, sit on, recline on, lean on, loll on, rest on, stand on, step on, repose on, abut on, bear on, be based on, have at one's back, bestride, bestraddle, support, bear, carry, hold, sustain, shoulder, hold up, back up, bolster up, shore up, uphold, upbear, prop, under prop, under pin, under set, riprap, bandage, give support, furnish support, afford support, supply support, lend support, give foundations, furnish foundations, afford foundations, supply foundations, lend foundations, bottom, found, base, ground, imbed, embed, maintain, keep on foot, aid.