\Sus`ten*ta"tion\, n. [L. sustentatio sustenance,
maintenance, fr. sustentare to support, maintain, v. intens.
fr. sustinere to sustain: cf. F. sustentation. See
{Sustain}.]
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.