sus·ten·ta·tion /-ˈteʃən/
  Sus·ten·ta·tion n.
  1. The act of sustaining, or the state of being sustained; preservation from falling; support; sustenance; maintenance.
  2. Physiol. The aggregate of the functions by which a living organism is maintained in a normal condition of weight and growth.
  Sustentation fund Eccl., a fund of a religious body for support of its ministers, chapels, etc.; as, the sustentation fund of the Free Church of Scotland.
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  sustentation
       n : the act of sustaining life by food or providing a means of
           subsistence; "they were in want of sustenance"; "fishing
           was their main sustainment" [syn: sustenance, sustainment,
            maintenance, upkeep]