Dictionaries of the Scots Language
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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

SUSTENTATION, n. Also sist-.

1. As in Eng. Comb. sustentation fund, a fund, specif. in the Free Church of Scotland, for the support of the ministry.Sc. 1843 Acts Gen. Assembly Free Ch. v.:
The proceeds of termly payments obtained through Associations or by the visitation of Deacons and Collectors, shall be wholly remitted to the General Sustentation Fund.Sc. 1896 J. N. Ogilvie Presbyt. Churches 114:
Her first care was to provide for the support of her ministers, and by the famous Sustentation Fund this was successfully accomplished.Sc. 1908 G. M. Reith Reminisc. U. F. Ch. Ass. (1933) 91:
Conducting the obsequies of the time-honoured words “Sustentation” and “Augmentation ”, and launching the scheme that combined the two funds under the new and absolutely colourless name of the Central Fund.

2. The smallest possible quantity (of food), a mere morsel (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1914 Angus Gl., Sh. 1971, sistentation).Sh. 1815 Shetland Advert. (6 Jan. 1962):
Furr nivver micht I see d' moarn gin I'd preev'd a veesable sistentation.Sh. 1904 E.D.D.:
Dey har'ly hae ae sistentation i' da yard ta gie da kye.