Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

Sustenar, Sustainer, n. [Late ME and e.m.E. sosteynere (a1400), sustenour (Hoccleve), sustener (1429), sustainer (1547-64), OF sosteneor, sousteneur (late 12th c. and c1330 in Larousse); Susten(e v.]

1. One who supports, assists or maintains (another); a supporter, helper. 1590 Burntisland B. Ct. 30 Oct.
The actioun and caus persewit be W^m Clerk ȝoungar sone … off wmquhill W^m Clerk coupar and Jonat Mudie his gyder keipar and sustenar 1594 Acts IV 71/2.
Masteris and sustenaris of thevis 1678 Mackenzie Laws & C. i xix 16 (1699) 106.
By sustainers are meant such as entertain the thief at bed and board

2. One who upholds, or helps keep in being (a dispute, quarrel, or the like). 14.. Acts I 112/2.
That na chansler chawmerlane … na othir bailȝeis, clerkis [etc.] … sal be sustenaris na manteinaris … of querellys in the kyngis court

3. One who expounds, proposes or defends (an argument). 1558-66 Knox II 457.
This conclusioun … I heard sustenit and concludit … in ane moist notabill auditour … The sustenar wes … Thomas de Finola

4. One who sustains or suffers (an injury). 1533–4 Dunferm. Reg. Ct. 106.
Gif ony of thaim dois in the contray it sall be lesum to the sustenar of the skatht heyr of the first falt forgevyng