Webster's English Dictionary

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sustain

sus.tain \s*-'sta-n\ \-'sta--n*-b*l\ vt [ME sustenen, fr. OF sustenir, fr. 
   L sustine-re to hold up], sustain, fr. sub-, sus- up + tene-re to hold - 
   more at SUB-, THIN 1: to give support or relief to  2: to supply with 
   sustenance : NOURISH  3: to keep up : PROLONG  4: to support the weight of 
   : PROP; also : to carry or wit hstand (a weight or pressure) 5: to buoy up  
   6: to bear up under : ENDURE  7a: to support as true, legal, or just  7b: 
   to allow or admit as valid {the court ~ed the motion}  8: to support by 
   adequate proof : CONFIRM  - sus.tain.able aj