from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Sustentation \Sus`ten*ta"tion\, n. [L. sustentatio sustenance,
maintenance, fr. sustentare to support, maintain, v. intens.
fr. sustinere to sustain: cf. F. sustentation. See
{Sustain}.]
1. The act of sustaining, or the state of being sustained;
preservation from falling; support; sustenance;
maintenance.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Physiol.) The aggregate of the functions by which a
living organism is maintained in a normal condition of
weight and growth.
[1913 Webster]
{Sustentation fund} (Eccl.), a fund of a religious body for
support of its ministers, chapels, etc.; as, the
sustentation fund of the Free Church of Scotland.
[1913 Webster]