▪ I. † sustent, n. Obs. rare.
[? Shortening of sustentacle, after OF. soustien.]
That which sustains or supports.
| 1664 Evelyn tr. Freart's Archit. 125 The Base..imports the sustent, prop or foot of a thing. |
▪ II. † sustent, v. Obs. rare.
[f. L. sustent- or ad. L. sustentāre: see sustentate.]
trans. To sustain.
| 1512 Helyas in Thoms Prose Rom. (1828) III. 68 The which..myraclusly there had be nourrisshed and sustented by the divine providence of God. 1591 Sylvester Du Bartas i. vii. 518 No firmer base her burthen to sustent Then slippery props of softest Element. |