maintenance in being or activity; the sustaining of life through vital processes.
2.
provision with means or funds for upkeep.
3.
means of sustaining life; sustenance.
Origin: 1350–1400; ME < L sustentātiōn- (s. of sustentātiō) an upholding, equiv. to sustentāt(us) (ptp. of sustentāre, freq. of sustinēre to sustain) + -iōn--ion
[suhs-tuh
n-tey-shuh