The word "sustained" consists of two syllables, with the first being pronounced "sәs" and the second being pronounced "teind". The "s" sound in the first syllable corresponds to the phonetic symbol /s/, while the "t" and "d" sounds in the second syllable correspond to /t/ and /d/ respectively. The vowel sound in the second syllable is represented by the phonetic symbol /eɪ/. This spelling reflects the word's origins in Middle English, where it was spelled "sustenen" and ultimately comes from Latin "sustentare".
The term "sustained" typically refers to something that is maintained or continued over a prolonged period of time. It is commonly used in various contexts to describe actions, conditions, or effects that persist, endure, or are upheld consistently without interruption. The word conveys the idea of longevity, stability, and resilience.
In the realm of physical activities or sports, "sustained" often denotes the ability to maintain a certain level of performance or effort over an extended duration. For instance, a tennis player may exhibit sustained dominance by consistently maintaining a high level of play throughout an entire match. Similarly, in music, a sustained note refers to a musical tone that is held for a considerable length of time without any alteration in pitch or dynamics.
In broader contexts, "sustained" can pertain to long-lasting conditions or effects. For instance, sustained economic growth refers to an extended period where the economy experiences consistent expansion without significant fluctuations. Likewise, sustained attention refers to the ability to maintain focused concentration on a particular task or stimulus over an extended period, without being easily distracted or losing interest.
Overall, "sustained" implies the continuation or upholding of a particular state, action, or quality over a prolonged period, highlighting endurance, longevity, and steadfastness.
Uniform.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "sustained" derives from the Latin verb "sustentare", which is a combination of the prefix "sub" (meaning "under") and the verb "tenere" (meaning "to hold"). In Latin, "sustentare" referred to the act of supporting or sustaining something physically or morally. This Latin term then evolved into the Old French verb "sustenir" before becoming "sustain" in Middle English. Over time, "sustained" came into use as the past participle form of "sustain", indicating something that has been maintained or continued for an extended period.