v.
- strengthen or support physically or mentally.
▸bear (the weight of an object).
- keep (something) going over time or continuously.
- suffer (something unpleasant).
- uphold or confirm the justice or validity of.
n.
Music an effect or facility on a keyboard or electronic instrument whereby a note can be sustained after the key is released.
Derivative
- sustained adj.
- sustainedly adv.
- sustainer n.
- sustainment n.
Etymology
ME: from OFr. soustenir, from L. sustinere, from sub- ‘from below’ + tenere ‘hold’.