Webster's English Dictionary

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sustentation

sus.ten.ta.tion \-'ta--sh*n\ \'s*s-t*n-.ta-t-iv, s*-'stent-*t-\ n [ME, fr. 
   MF, fr. L sustentation-, sustentatio act of holding up, fr]. sustentatus, 
   pp. of sustentare to hold up, fr. sustentus, pp. of sustine-re 1: the act 
   of sustaining : the state of being sustained : as  1a: MAINTENANCE, UPKEEP  
   1b: PRESERVATION, CONSERVATION  1c: maintenance of life, growth, or morale  
   1d: provision with sustenance  2: something that sustains : SUPPORT  - 
   sus.ten.ta.tive aj