Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

SUSTAIN, v., n. Also Sc. form susteen (cf. Absteen, Conteen, Manteen, Reteener). Hence sustainment (Mry. 1828 J. Ruddiman Tales 217), rare and obs. in Eng., susteenance (Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xliv.), ¶susteenety (Sh. 1961 New Shetlander No. 59. 17), sustenance, nourishment, food and support. Sc. usages:

I. v. 1. Sc. Law, of a court: to support the validity of (a claim), to uphold authoritatively, to admit, approve (Sc. 1782 J. Sinclair Ob. Sc. Dial. 94).Sc. 1707 Morison Decisions 2644:
The Lords sustained the compensation founded on the precept.Sc. 1793 Lockhart Scott vi.:
Sustain the Sheriff's judgment, and decern.Sc. 1855 Scotticisms Corrected 7:
His apology was not sustained.

2. Sim. of Sc. church courts; specif. of a presbytery: to give formal approval to (a call) from a congregation to a new minister.Sc. 1721 Robertson and Swan S. Leith Records (1925) II. 39:
The Call to Mr James Stevenson was presented and the Presbyterie did unanimouslie sustain the same.Sc. 1732 Acts Gen. Assembly 23:
No Vote, either of Heritors or Elders, shall be Sustained, except such as shall have either signed the Call. . . .Sc. 1904 E.D.D.:
An ecclesiastical word used in connexion with a theological student's ‘trials' or examination for license to preach and a preacher's ‘trials' for ordination. If these are satisfactory and approved of they are said to be ‘sustained.' A reference or an appeal from an inferior to a superior ecclesiastical court is sustained when it is not dismissed or rejected.Sc. 1969 Wgt. Free Press (4 Sept.) 5:
Rev. H. Tolland moved that Presbytery sustain the call.

¶II. n. Sustenance, upkeep, support.Gall. 1712 Session Bk. Minnigaff (1939) 288:
For sustain of Margret M'Kies child deceased . . . £5.