sustain
【维持、持续、支撑】
单词：sustain
词性：动词
基本含义： Sustain 是一个多义词，主要指的是维持、持续、支撑某物或某种状态，使其不被破坏或终止。它在不同的上下文中可以有不同的含义，包括物理上的支持、情感上的支持、经济或环境方面的维持等。
1. 支撑，维持（物理或精神上）
Sustain 可以用来指物理上的支撑或保持某种事物的存在，使其不受到损坏或消失。例如，支撑一个物体、维持某种力量或状态等。
- Example 1: The bridge was built to sustain the weight of heavy trucks.
（这座桥是为了支撑重型卡车的重量而建造的。） - Example 2: The roof beams were designed to sustain the structure of the house.
（屋顶的梁是为支撑房屋结构而设计的。） - Example 3: He tried to sustain his balance on the tightrope.
（他试图在钢丝上保持平衡。）
2. 维持（某种状态、水平或条件）
Sustain 还可以表示维持某种状态、条件、活动等，使其持续一段时间，不被中断或改变。
- Example 1: The team struggled to sustain their lead throughout the game.
（队伍在整场比赛中努力保持领先优势。） - Example 2: The company has been able to sustain steady growth despite the economic downturn.
（尽管经济下滑，公司仍然能够维持稳定的增长。） - Example 3: The government is working to sustain the environmental initiatives.
（政府正在努力维持环保措施。）
3. 承受，忍受（负担、压力、困难等）
在某些情境下，sustain 表示承受或忍受某种困难、损害或负担。它通常用来描述在困境或压力下继续存在、存活或行动的能力。
- Example 1: The building was damaged in the earthquake, but it was able to sustain minimal damage.
（这座建筑在地震中受到了损害，但它能够承受最小的损害。） - Example 2: The patient has sustained serious injuries in the accident.
（患者在事故中受了重伤。） - Example 3: The company was able to sustain the financial losses during the recession.
（公司在经济衰退期间能够承受财务损失。）
4. 继续，延续（时间、活动等）
Sustain 也可以用来描述使某个活动、过程或情况持续下去，延续更长时间。
- Example 1: She has worked hard to sustain her passion for painting over the years.
（她多年来一直努力维持对绘画的热情。） - Example 2: The athlete’s performance was impressive, and he managed to sustain his level of excellence throughout the competition.
（这位运动员的表现令人印象深刻，他成功地维持了整个比赛中的卓越水平。） - Example 3: The conversation was difficult to sustain, as the topic was very controversial.
（这场对话很难维持下去，因为话题非常有争议。）
5. 法律意义：支持，确认（判决或立场）
在法律领域，sustain 有时表示法官支持某个主张、意见或判决。
- Example 1: The judge decided to sustain the objection raised by the defense lawyer.
（法官决定支持辩护律师提出的异议。） - Example 2: The court sustained the decision of the lower court.
（法院支持了下级法院的判决。）
6. 词源
Sustain 来自拉丁语 "sustinere"，由 "sub-"（下面）和 "tenere"（持有、支撑）构成，原意是“支撑、支持”。这一词源体现了其本义：维持或支撑某事物的存在或状态。
7. 相关词汇
- Sustenance（名词）：食物，维持生命的东西，生计
- Example: The hikers had enough sustenance to last for a week in the wilderness.
（登山者带了足够的食物，可以在荒野中待一周。）
- Example: The hikers had enough sustenance to last for a week in the wilderness.
- Sustaining（形容词）：维持的，持续的
- Example: They received sustaining support from the local community.
（他们得到了来自当地社区的持续支持。）
- Example: They received sustaining support from the local community.
- Sustained（形容词）：持久的，持续的
- Example: The company has had sustained success over the past decade.
（这家公司在过去十年中取得了持续的成功。）
- Example: The company has had sustained success over the past decade.
- Sustainability（名词）：可持续性
- Example: The company is focusing on sustainability to minimize environmental impact.
（公司正在专注于可持续发展，以减少环境影响。）
- Example: The company is focusing on sustainability to minimize environmental impact.
8. 使用场景
- 生理和心理支持：指在困境中持续忍耐或克服困难。
- Example 1: The team sustained their energy levels despite the long hours of work.
（尽管工作时间长，团队仍然保持着充沛的精力。） - Example 2: The support from her friends helped her sustain through difficult times.
（朋友们的支持帮助她在艰难时刻坚持了下来。）
- Example 1: The team sustained their energy levels despite the long hours of work.
- 日常生活中的维持：用于描述维持某种正常状态或流程。
- Example 1: It’s important to sustain a balanced diet for overall health.
（维持均衡饮食对整体健康很重要。） - Example 2: The workers managed to sustain productivity even in challenging conditions.
（即使在困难的环境下，工人们仍然保持了生产力。）
- Example 1: It’s important to sustain a balanced diet for overall health.
总结
Sustain 是一个多义词，涵盖了从物理支持、精神支持到维持某种状态、忍受困境等多个层面。它强调在压力、困难或挑战下使某物得以继续存在、保持或承受，是一个在各类语境中都常见的词汇。