English主要词典
sustain
Universal Words
verb [VN]
1 to provide enough of what sb/sth needs in order to live or exist:
Few planets can sustain life. * I only had a little chocolate to sustain me on my walk. * The love and support of his family sustained him during his time in prison. * When she lost her job they could no longer sustain their expensive lifestyle.
2 to make sth continue for some time without becoming less
SYNMAINTAIN:
a period of sustained economic growth * a sustained attack / effort * She managed to sustain everyone's interest until the end of her speech. * Kangaroos can sustain high speeds over long distances. * the sustaining pedal of a piano (= that allows a note to continue sounding for a long time)
3 (formal) to experience sth bad
SYNSUFFER:
to sustain damage / an injury / a defeat * The company sustained losses of millions of dollars.
4 to provide evidence to support an opinion, a theory, etc:
The evidence is not detailed enough to sustain his argument.
5 (formal) to support a weight without breaking or falling:
The ice will not sustain your weight.
6 (law) to decide that a claim, etc. is valid:
The court sustained his claim that the contract was illegal. * Objection sustained! (= said by a judge when a lawyer makes an objection in court)
