Sustained
/səˈsteɪnd/noun
Continued or maintained over a period of time, or supported so that something does not fall or fail.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from Latin tenere, “to hold,” the same root behind ideas of possession, support, and persistence.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ten-
“To stretch, extend, or hold—an ancient root associated with exerting tension.”
Classical Latin
Latin
tenēre
“To hold, keep, possess, or maintain.”
Classical Latin
Latin
sustinēre
“To hold up, support, endure, or withstand; formed from sub-, “from below,” plus tenēre, “to hold.””
Old French
Old French
sostenir / sustenir
“To support, uphold, endure, or defend.”
Middle English
English
sustenen
“To support, maintain, or endure.”
Modern English
English
sustained
“Continued, maintained, or supported over time.”