sustentative, a.
(ˈsʌstɛnteɪtɪv, səˈstɛntətɪv)
[f. L. sustentāt-: see sustentate and -ive.]
1. Having the quality of sustaining.
| a 1640 Jackson Creed xi. vi. §4 Unless our Being be supported and strengthned by his power sustentative. 1652 Urquhart Jewel 278 Dialogismes, displaying their Interrogatory part with communicatively-Pysmatick and Sustentative flourishes. |
2. Physiol. Pertaining to sustentation.
| 1877 Huxley Anat. Inv. Anim. Introd. 24 Each cell..must needs retain its sustentative functions so long as it grows. 1880 J. Cook Boston Monday Lect. 203 Sustentative, generative and correlative functions in the lower forms of life are exerted indifferently. |