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sustaining |
1 definition found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: 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. Every pillar the temple to sustain. --Chaucer. 2. Hence to keep from sinking, as in despondence, or the like to support. No comfortable expectations of another life to sustain him under the evils in this world. --Tillotson. 3. To maintain; to keep alive; to support; to subsist; to nourish; as provisions to sustain an army. 4. To aid, comfort, or relieve; to vindicate. --Shak. His sons, who seek the tyrant to sustain. --Dryden. 5. To endure without failing or yielding; to bear up under as to sustain defeat and disappointment. 6. To suffer; to bear; to undergo. Shall Turnus, then, such endless toil sustain? --Dryden. You shall sustain more new disgraces. --Shak. 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. 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. Syn: To support; uphold; subsist; assist; relieve; suffer; undergo.
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