sustentation etymology

Etymology:

• French soutènement, from soutenir "to sustain"
• Latin sustentāre, from sus-, "up" + tenēre, "to hold"

Meaning:

• The act of holding up or supporting something
• Food or nourishment
• The livelihood or means of support

Origin:

The word "sustentation" entered English from French in the 14th century. It ultimately derives from the Latin verb "sus-tenere," meaning "to hold up" or "to support." The prefix "sus-" means "up" or "above," and "tenere" means "to hold."

The original meaning of "sustentation" was "the act of holding up or supporting something." Over time, it acquired the additional meanings of "food or nourishment" and "the livelihood or means of support."

The word "sustenance" is often used in a figurative sense to refer to something that provides support or nourishment, such as a belief system or a source of income. It can also be used in a humorous sense to refer to something that is barely adequate or that is only just enough to get by.

sustentation relate terms

• sustain

  Etymology Latin sustinēre to hold up sustain endure Proto Indo European steh₂

• sustenance

  Etymology Latin substantia substance property Proto Indo European sth₁ sta

• maintenance

  Etymology Origin Old French maintenance from maintenir meaning to hold keep Latin

• support

  Etymology Latin supportāre from sub under portāre to carry Proto Indo Eur

• crumb

  Etymology The word crumb derives from the Old English word cruma meaning fragment

• oath

  Etymology The word oath comes from the Old English word að which means oath Thi

• ginger

  Etymology Middle English gingivere gingyvere Old French gingembre Latin zingiber Sa

• genre

  Etymology The word genre derives from the Old French word gengre which in turn come

• nail

  Etymology The word nail has multiple etymological origins Germanic nagul or nagl n

• dearth

  Etymology Middle English derth from Old English deore dear precious costly Proto