[f. SUSTAIN v. + -ING1.] The action of the verb SUSTAIN, in various senses; sustenance, maintenance, support, etc.
c. 1383. in Eng. Hist. Rev., Oct. (1911), 749. Susteynininge [sic] of felowis bi forme of þe gospel þat ben able to performe þe office of þe gospel in good lyuynge.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., XVII. ii. (Bodl. MS.), lf. 188 b/1. For sadnes of þe … grounde þe herbe hathe grenenes in rote and susteynynge of þe stalke in þee reringe þereof.
c. 1400. Rom. Rose, 2765. Though he lye in strawe or dust, In Hoope is alle his susteynyng.
c. 1450. Godstow Reg., 393. They graunted to hym and to his wyf … a corrodye of one seruant to ther susteynynge. Ibid., 438. To the susteynyng of the masse of oure lady seynt marye.
1495. Naval Acc. Hen. VII. (1896), 159. The Susteynyng & fortyfying of the seid dokke & gates of the same.
1541. Copland, Guydon’s Quest. Cyrurg., D ij. Demaunde. Wherfore are the bones made? Answere. Bycause they shulde be the foundacyon of all the body and susteynynge therof.
1593. Shaks., Lucr., 1573. Short time seems long, in sorrowes sharp sustayning.
1607. Hieron, Wks., I. 170. Without Whose gracious sustaining he should soone returne vnto his first nothing.
1726. Leoni, Alberti’s Archit., I. 76/1. Provisions necessary for the sustaining of a Siege.
1850. McCosh, Div. Govt., II. i. (1874), 89. Every one knows how needful the atmosphere is for the sustaining of animal and vegetable life.
1893. Athenæum, 2 Dec., 767/3. The sustaining of her strong personality, while displaying the growth of her newly awakened impulses, is no easy task, but it is partly successful.
