[f. SUSTAIN v. + -ING2.] That sustains, in various senses; supporting.
1605. Shaks., Lear, IV. iv. 6. Darnell, and all the idle weedes that grow In our sustaining Corne. Ibid. (1610), Temp., I. ii. 218. On their sustaining garments not a blemish, But fresher then before.
1817. Shelley, Rev. Islam, V. lvi. 6. Melons, and dates, and figs, and many a root Sweet and sustaining. Ibid. (1820), Prometh. Unb., III. iii. 91. The many children fair Folded in my sustaining arms.
1828. D’Israeli, Chas. I., I. vi. 163. Mary of Scotland was long the sustaining hope of France, of Spain, and of Rome.
1855. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., xv. III. 594. The sustaining power of high religious principle.
b. In technical use.
1839. Noad, Electricity, iii. 105. The introduction of the ‘sustaining’ or ‘constant’ batteries of Messrs. Daniell and Mullins, has … entirely superseded the employment of these simple circles in electro-magnetic investigations.
1842. Civil Eng. & Arch. Jrnl., V. 95/1. The meaning of the technical terms of ‘retaining’ and ‘sustaining’ walls was—when a wall was used either to support water or earth artificially put together.
a. 1878. Sir G. Scott, Lect. Archit. (1879), I. 281. A narrow vault … which is not necessarily of the same curvature as the sustaining arches.
Hence Sustainingly adv.
1640. G. Abbot, Job Paraphr., Argt. A little chinke of light whereby he was able to see, and sustainingly to remind himselfe of God’s former favours.
1875. Toxie, a Tale, I. vi. 101. Holding my soft gloved hand sustainingly to his side.
