sustain /səˈsteɪn/ CET4 TEM4 ( sustaining, sustained, sustains )

• 1. 

  V-T If you sustain something, you continue it or maintain it for a period of time. 保持

  例：

  He has sustained his fierce social conscience from young adulthood through old age.

  他从青年时代到晚年一直保持着强烈的社会良知。

  例：

  Recovery can't be sustained unless more jobs are created.

  除非有更多的工作机会被创造出来，否则复苏无法保持下去。

• 2. 

  V-T If you sustain something such as a defeat, loss, or injury, it happens to you. 遭受 [正式]

  例：

  Every aircraft in there has sustained some damage.

  那里的每架飞机都遭到了一些损坏。

• 3. 

  V-T If something sustains you, it supports you by giving you help, strength, or encouragement. 支撑 [正式]

  例：

  The cash dividends they get from the cash crop would sustain them during the lean season.

  他们从经济作物中得到的那些现金红利能支撑他们度过歉收季节。