to support the weight of (something)
to give support, sustenance, or relief to (somebody or something)
Hope sustained them until they were rescued
to cause (something) to continue; to prolong
to suffer or undergo (something)
We sustained heavy losses
to allow or admit (something) as valid
The court sustained the motion
to support (something) by adequate proof; to confirm
This testimony sustains our contention
sustained adj
sustainedly adv
sustainer noun
sustainment noun
[Middle English sustenen via Old French sustenir from Latin sustinēre to hold up, sustain, from sus- + tenēre to hold]