'Sustain' definitions:

Definition of 'sustain'

From: WordNet
verb
Lengthen or extend in duration or space; "We sustained the diplomatic negotiations as long as possible"; "prolong the treatment of the patient"; "keep up the good work" [syn: prolong, sustain, keep up]
verb
Undergo (as of injuries and illnesses); "She suffered a fracture in the accident"; "He had an insulin shock after eating three candy bars"; "She got a bruise on her leg"; "He got his arm broken in the scuffle" [syn: suffer, sustain, have, get]
verb
Provide with nourishment; "We sustained ourselves on bread and water"; "This kind of food is not nourishing for young children" [syn: nourish, nurture, sustain]
verb
Supply with necessities and support; "She alone sustained her family"; "The money will sustain our good cause"; "There's little to earn and many to keep" [syn: sustain, keep, maintain]
verb
Be the physical support of; carry the weight of; "The beam holds up the roof"; "He supported me with one hand while I balanced on the beam"; "What's holding that mirror?" [syn: hold, support, sustain, hold up]
verb
Admit as valid; "The court sustained the motion"
verb
Establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts; "his story confirmed my doubts"; "The evidence supports the defendant" [syn: confirm, corroborate, sustain, substantiate, support, affirm] [ant: contradict, negate]

Definition of 'Sustain'

From: GCIDE
  • Sustain \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. [1913 Webster]
  • Every pillar the temple to sustain. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. 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. --Tillotson. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. To maintain; to keep alive; to support; to subsist; to nourish; as, provisions to sustain an army. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. To aid, comfort, or relieve; to vindicate. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • His sons, who seek the tyrant to sustain. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
  • 5. To endure without failing or yielding; to bear up under; as, to sustain defeat and disappointment. [1913 Webster]
  • 6. To suffer; to bear; to undergo. [1913 Webster]
  • Shall Turnus, then, such endless toil sustain? --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
  • You shall sustain more new disgraces. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • Syn: To support; uphold; subsist; assist; relieve; suffer; undergo. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Sustain'

From: GCIDE
  • Sustain \Sus*tain"\, n. One who, or that which, upholds or sustains; a sustainer. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
  • I waked again, for my sustain was the Lord. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

Synonyms of 'sustain'

From: Moby Thesaurus

Words containing 'Sustain'