sustentātĭo

I. A deferring, delay; forbearance (very rare).

A. In gen.: habere aliquam moram et sustentationem, Cic. Inv. 2, 49, 146: quae sustentatio sui recte patientia nominatur, Lact. 6, 18, 32.—

B. In partic., in rhetoric, a figure of speech where the orator defers the mention of something, keeping the hearer in doubt, a suspension, Cels. ap. Quint. 9, 2, 22.—

II. Sustenance, maintenance: mulieris, Dig. 2, 3, 22 med.