Sūs'te-nance, n.
n. [O. Fr. sustenance, sostenance, soutenance, soutenance, Pr. sostenensa, It. sostenenza, sostegnenza.]
Sense 1. The act of sustaining; support; maintenance; subsistence; as, the sustenance of the body; the sustenance of life.
Sense 2. That which supports life; food; victuals; provisions; as, the city has ample sustenance.