sustenance
noun/ˈsʌstənəns/
/ˈsʌstənəns/
[uncountable] (formal)- the food and drink that people, animals and plants need to live and stay healthy
- There's not much sustenance in a bowl of soup.
- (figurative) Arguing would only give further sustenance to his allegations.
- sustenance (of something) the process of making something continue to exist
- Elections are essential for the sustenance of parliamentary democracy.
Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French soustenance, from the verb soustenir, from Latin sustinere, from sub- ‘from below’ + tenere ‘hold’.
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sustenance