Dictionary

sustentation

noun sus·ten·ta·tion \-ˈtā-shən\

Definition of SUSTENTATION

1
:  the act of sustaining :  the state of being sustained: as
a :  maintenance, upkeep
b :  preservation, conservation
c :  maintenance of life, growth, or morale
d :  provision with sustenance
2
:  something that sustains :  support
sus·ten·ta·tive \ˈsəs-tən-ˌtā-tiv, sə-ˈsten-tə-tiv\ adjective
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Origin of SUSTENTATION

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin sustentation-, sustentatio act of holding up, from sustentare to hold up, frequentative of sustinēre to sustain
First Known Use: 14th century

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