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Noun: sustenance  sús-tu-nun(t)s
  1. The act of sustaining life by food or providing a means of subsistence
    "they were in want of sustenance";
    - sustentation, sustainment, maintenance, upkeep
     
  2. A substance that provides nourishment for growth or metabolism
    "The scientist studied the sustenance requirements of the new plant species";
    - nutriment, nourishment, nutrition, aliment [archaic], victuals, vittles [archaic]
     
  3. The financial means whereby one lives
    "he applied to the state for sustenance";
    - support, keep, livelihood, living, bread and butter

Derived forms: sustenances

Type of: food, nutrient, resource, support

Encyclopedia: Sustenance