establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts; " his story confirmed my doubts"; " The evidence supports the defendant"

undergo ( as of injuries and illnesses); " She suffered a fracture in the accident"; " He had an insulin shock after eating three candy bars"; " She got a bruise on her leg"; " He got his arm broken in the scuffle"

be the physical support of; carry the weight of; " The beam holds up the roof"; " He supported me with one hand while I balanced on the beam"; " What's holding that mirror?"

supply with necessities and support; " She alone sustained her family"; " The money will sustain our good cause"; " There's little to earn and many to keep"

lengthen or extend in duration or space; " We sustained the diplomatic negociations as long as possible"; " prolong the treatment of the patient"; " keep up the good work"

provide with nourishment; " We sustained ourselves on bread and water"; " This kind of food is not nourishing for young children"

admit as valid; " The court sustained the motion"

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.

Hence, to keep from sinking, as in despondence, or the like; to support.

To maintain; to keep alive; to support; to subsist; to nourish; as, provisions to sustain an army.

To aid, comfort, or relieve; to vindicate.

To endure without failing or yielding; to bear up under; as, to sustain defeat and disappointment.

To suffer; to bear; to undergo.

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.

To prove; to establish by evidence; to corroborate or confirm; to be conclusive of; as, to sustain a charge, an accusation, or a proposition.

One who, or that which, upholds or sustains; a sustainer.

To hold up or support; as, to sustain a weight; maintain or keep up; as, to sustain an argument; support, or keep alive; as, food sustains life; undergo; as, to sustain a money loss; bear; endure without falling; as, to sustain a blow; keep up the courage or spirits of; as, his faith sustained him; prove; strengthen; as, to sustain a charge, at law; support or admit as just and true.

To hold up: to bear: to maintain: to relieve: to prove: to sanction: to prolong.

SUSTAINER.

To bear; endure; maintain; prove.

To uphold, as a weight; keep up; encourage; support; maintain.

To endure; suffer.

To establish; prove.

To bear; to uphold; to hold; to keep from falling; to support; to maintain; to keep alive; to assist or relieve.

To bear or hold up; to keep from falling; to keep alive; to maintain; to suffer, as a loss.

Forty millions of dollars had already been sunk, and it seemed probable that it would require nearly the whole annual produce of the American mines to sustain the war. – The Rise of the Dutch Republic, Volume II.(of III) 1566-74 by John Lothrop Motley Last Updated: January 25, 2009

I found it difficult to sustain my part in the conversation. – Kent Knowles: Quahaug by Joseph C. Lincoln

He showed that a heavier- than- air machine would sustain itself in the air if it could only be driven fast enough. – American Men of Mind by Burton E. Stevenson

Secretary Campbell's report was a confession of failure to sustain public credit. – Jefferson and his Colleagues A Chronicle of the Virginia Dynasty, Volume 15 In The Chronicles Of America Series by Allen Johnson

If your father would consent to come into parliament and sustain government at this critical moment, his origin would be overlooked, and you would have pride in looking back on his acts. – The Monikins by J. Fenimore Cooper

Such a view does not for a moment sustain any critical investigation. – Landmarks in the History of Early Christianity by Kirsopp Lake

The foliage is needed to sustain or develop the roots. – Success With Small Fruits by E. P. Roe

Eunice would not let him carry her as before, but trudged bravely behind him, though her feet ached and her breath often failed as she tried to keep up; and both children did all they could to comfort and sustain their friend, who seemed glad to give his life for them. – Spinning-Wheel Stories by Louisa May Alcott

" I might furnish you with enough to sustain life for a short time," he suggested. – Just Patty by Jean Webster

Irene was an accomplished and clever girl, and well able to sustain her hidden regard throughout for one who for years previous had been endeavouring to remove the great barrier of position which blocked his path of approach towards her affection. – Irene Iddesleigh by Amanda McKittrick Ros

You will sustain many a blow of sword and lance, and will have to return full measure before you succeed in passing through." – Four Arthurian Romances "Erec et Enide", "Cliges", "Yvain", and "Lancelot" by Chretien DeTroyes

This attempt has failed, though there may be found, of course, in all countries, single facts, or classes of facts, that seem to sustain such an opinion. – Thoughts on Educational Topics and Institutions by George S. Boutwell

But he is already entered; the public, more and more, as he is known, are appreciating his talents and worth; and his country would sustain a loss if these are checked by over delicacy on your part." – Memoir of the Life of John Quincy Adams. by Josiah Quincy

Tremble not now, turn not away from my arms; you have no other refuge, no other strong fortress than my heart, but it is a rock on which you can safely build; its foundation is strong, it can hold and sustain you. – Berlin and Sans-Souci by Louise Muhlbach

If, for instance, I could say to him that Mr. Dinks would contribute say fifteen hundred dollars a year, until Mr. Alfred comes into his fortune, I think in that case I might persuade him to advance as much; and so, Sir, your son and my dear sister might live somewhat as they have been accustomed, and their mutual affection would sustain them, I doubt not, until the grandfather died. – Trumps by George William Curtis

Yet the arms of thy heavenly Father were extended over thee, to guide, to guard, and to sustain thee. – Lost in the Backwoods by Catherine Parr Traill

In a moment or two, recalled to himself by the fact that one after the other all the Deacons wanted to shake his hand, he tried to sustain his part in the ceremony. – Elder Conklin and Other Stories by Frank Harris

Can fields of glass sustain three hundred feet of thrusts and such weights of stone? – Cathedrals of Spain by John A. (John Allyne) Gade

Swartz was unable to sustain the fiery glance directed toward him by Mohun. – Mohun, or, The Last Days of Lee by John Esten Cooke

Homeburg children are divided into two classes- those who get all of their presents on the church Christmas trees and have to worry through the next day without any additional excitement, and those who have to sit through the Christmas Eve exercises with only a sack of candy to sustain them and who land heavily the next day. – Homeburg Memories by George Helgesen Fitch