Sus"te*nance (?), n. [OF.
sustenance, sostenance, soustenance: cf. L.
sustenentia endurance. See Sustain.] 1.
The act of sustaining; support; maintenance; subsistence; as, the
sustenance of the body; the sustenance of
life.
2. That which supports life; food; victuals;
provisions; means of living; as, the city has ample
sustenance. "A man of little sustenance."
Chaucer.
For lying is thy sustenance, thy
food.
Milton.