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