sustenance
sustenance
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "sustenance" is: /ˈsʌs.tə.nəns/
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
sʌs:
/s/ as in "s" in "sit"
/ʌ/ as in "u" in "cut"
/s/ as in "s" in "sit"
tə:
/t/ as in "t" in "top"
/ə/ as in "a" in "about" (schwa sound)
nəns:
/n/ as in "n" in "nice"
/ə/ as in "a" in "about" (schwa sound)
/n/ as in "n" in "nice"
/s/ as in "s" in "sit"
Word Form Variations
"Sustenance" itself is an uncountable noun, so it doesn't have a standard plural form like many other nouns. You wouldn't say "sustenances."
While "sustenance" is usually used as a singular, uncountable noun, it doesn't have other common word form variations like many other words (e.g., no verb form, no adjective form in common use). The related word "sustain" is a verb, and "sustainable" is an adjective. However, these are considered different words with related meanings, not variations of "sustenance" itself.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun:
Definition 1: The means of maintaining life; nourishment; food and drink.
Synonyms: Nourishment, sustenance, food, provisions, victuals, fare, nutriment, aliment, daily bread, support, upkeep, maintenance.
Antonyms: Starvation, deprivation, malnutrition, famine, want, hunger, emptiness, inanition.
Definition 2: The act or process of sustaining; support; maintenance. (This definition is less common than the first but still valid.)
Synonyms: Support, maintenance, upkeep, preservation, conservation, continuation, prolongation.
Antonyms: Destruction, cessation, termination, abolition, collapse, ruin, end.
It's important to reiterate that "sustenance" is almost exclusively used as a noun. While related words like "sustain" (verb) and "sustainable" (adjective) exist, they are distinct words with their own meanings and do not represent different forms of "sustenance."
Examples of Use
Literature:
"He brought with him a small bag of dried fruit and nuts, enough for sustenance on the journey." (The word is commonly used in this way in fiction.) You'll find many similar uses in novels focusing on survival, travel, or historical settings.
News/Online Publications:
"The aid organization is working to provide food and other sustenance to the refugees." (This is a common usage in news reports about humanitarian crises.) A quick search on news aggregators will reveal numerous examples.
Academic/Scientific Writing:
"Glucose is the primary source of sustenance for brain cells." (This is typical of scientific writing, particularly in biology and medicine.) Look for research papers on nutrition, physiology, or biochemistry.
General Public Discourse:
"The garden provided much-needed sustenance for the family during the difficult times." (This reflects how the word is used in everyday conversation.) You might hear this in discussions about gardening, self-sufficiency, or historical periods.
"The simple meal was enough sustenance to keep us going until dinner." (Another example from everyday life, showing how "sustenance" can refer to a basic level of nourishment.)
Entertainment/Media:
While less frequent, you might encounter "sustenance" in documentaries about survival, history, or nature. The word lends a certain gravity to the discussion of basic needs. For example, a nature documentary might discuss the challenges animals face in finding "sustenance" during harsh winters.
10 Famous Quotes Using Sustenance
"Love is the only sane and satisfactory answer to the problem of human existence — it is the ultimate sustenance." — Erich Fromm
"Hope is the poor man's bread and sustenance." — George Herbert
"We live by bread, yes, but not by bread alone; we need poetry, we need love, we need sustenance for the soul." — Fyodor Dostoevsky (paraphrased)
"Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face — and a kind of sustenance for the weary." — Victor Hugo
"Justice is the great interest of man on earth. It is the ligament which holds civilized beings and civilized nations together — the moral sustenance of society." — Daniel Webster
"The natural world is not a luxury; it is a source of sustenance, stability, and spiritual renewal." — Terry Tempest Williams
"Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness — it gave me sustenance." — Maya Angelou
"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough — and transforms necessity into sustenance." — Melody Beattie
"The arts are not a frill. They are a necessary form of sustenance in the life of the mind." — Sidney Hook
"Books are a uniquely portable magic — offering sustenance that no meal can satisfy." — Stephen King (adapted)
Etymology
The word comes from Latin, specifically the verb sustinere. Think of it like this:
sus- means "under" or "up."
tenere means "to hold" or "to keep."
So, sustinere literally means "to hold up" or "to maintain." Imagine holding something up to support it – that's the core idea.
The English word "sustenance" comes directly from this Latin root. It entered the English language around the 14th century. Its first known uses were very similar to how we use it today: meaning the things necessary to support life, like food and drink, or the act of providing that support. It's always been closely tied to the idea of maintaining life or existence.
So, in essence, "sustenance" carries the idea of something that "holds you up" or "keeps you going," whether that's food, resources, or anything else that supports life and well-being.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Sustenance
Original/Illustrative Phrases (using "sustenance"):
"The sustenance of memory": This evokes the idea that memories can nourish us emotionally and psychologically.
"Sustenance for the soul": Similar to the above, suggesting that art, music, or spiritual practices can provide emotional and spiritual nourishment.
"A meager sustenance": This phrase highlights a bare minimum needed for survival.
"The daily sustenance": Refers to regular food intake or other essential provisions.
Idioms using synonyms (for a similar effect):
Since "sustenance" is about support and nourishment, we can look at idioms related to those concepts:
"Keep body and soul together": This classic idiom expresses the struggle to maintain basic survival, similar to the idea of providing sustenance.
"Bread and butter": Refers to one's basic livelihood, the means of providing sustenance.
"Food for thought": While not about physical sustenance, it refers to intellectual nourishment.
"Fuel the fire": While not directly related to literal food, it means to keep something going, similar to how sustenance keeps us going.
"A lifeline": Something that is essential for survival or support, fulfilling a similar role to sustenance.
Why so few "sustenance" idioms?
The formal and somewhat less common usage of "sustenance" is the main reason. Idioms tend to develop from more everyday, concrete language. "Sustenance" is a more abstract concept, making it less likely to be incorporated into common, colorful expressions.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of sustenance from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
