sus·te·nance
noun/ˈsʌstənəns/
/ˈsʌstənəns/
[uncountable] (formal)- the food and drink that people, animals and plants need to live and stay healthy
食物；营养；养料 - There's not much sustenance in a bowl of soup.
一碗汤没多少营养。 - (figurative) Arguing would only give further sustenance to his allegations.
越是争论，他越会觉得自己那些说法有道理。
- There's not much sustenance in a bowl of soup.
- sustenance (of something) the process of making something continue to exist
维持；保持 - Elections are essential for the sustenance of parliamentary democracy.
选举制度是维持议会民主所必不可少的。
- Elections are essential for the sustenance of parliamentary democracy.
Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French soustenance, from the verb soustenir, from Latin sustinere, from sub- ‘from below’ + tenere ‘hold’.