A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1558-1634
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Sustening, vbl. n. Also: susteny(i)ng, susteining, susteanyng. [ME and e.m.E. susteynininge (1383), susteynynge (Trevisa), sustayning (Shakespeare), sustaining (1607); Susten(e v.] a. The action of upholding as true or valid (Susten(e v. 2). 1598 Criminal Trials II 58.
As to the secund member of the ansuer maid for sustening of the relevancie of the lybell
b. The action of furnishing with the necessaries of life, or providing for the welfare or maintenance of (persons). Also const. in (the things provided). (Susten(e v. 5.)(1) 1561 Edinb. B. Rec. III 108.
For collecting of xij d. of euerye tvn of wyne for sustenyng of the misterfull and faillit brethering 1561–2 Reg. Privy S. V i 254/2.
For inbringing of all rentalis of the benefices beyond the Month … that it mycht be knawine how mekle thairof wer sufficient for … sustening of the precheouris [etc.] 1558-66 Knox II 304.
That the just availl of thair benefices may be knawin, sua that thairafter hir grace mycht tack ordour for the susteanyng of the ministeris 1576–7 Ayr B. Acc. 141.
For sustening of ane theif in the Tolbuyth 1579 Acts III 151/2.
Considering the present greit charges … likly daylie to incres be … the sustening of guarnysonis for keiping of quietnes and gude ordour on the bordouris [etc.] 1592 Aberd. Council Lett. I 53.
For sustening of ane hundreth suldeours … for ane moneth 1634 Stirling B. Rec. I 173.
[A legacy] to be waired … upoun ane hospitall or almoushous … for sustenying thairintill … tuelf decayed gilbrother(2) 1564–5 Rec. Earld. Orkney 278.
In upholding and sustening me honestlie and sufficiently in meit, drink, and clathing 1620 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. II 298.
For the susteining of the said Margrat in meitt claithes bed & buerd
c. The action of providing what is necessary for the upkeep or repair of (a thing). (Susten(e v. 6.) 1622 Master of Works Accounts (ed.) II 140.
For … sustening the inlaikis and making up weycht for weycht for the great lead gutter of my Lord Chancellaris ludgeing
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"Sustening vbl. n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/sustening>
