v. Obs. or arch. rare. [f. L. sustentāt-, pa. ppl. stem of sustentāre, f. sustent-, pa. ppl. stem of sustinēre to SUSTAIN: see -ATE3.] trans. To sustain.
a. 1564. Becon, Policy War, Pref., Wks. I. 124. Our countrey doeth not onely receaue and ioyfullye sustentate it [sc. the body], but also opulently adourne … both that and the minde with most goodly … vertues.
1631. A. B., trans. Lessius’ De Prov. Num., I. ix. 143. All things being first created by diuyne power, need to be sustentated by the said power.
1861. Reade, Cloister & H., ii. Who have by this divine restorative been sustentated, fortified,… and consoled.
