sustentation

 
Pronunciation: /ˌsʌst(ə)nˈteɪʃ(ə)n/

noun

[mass noun] formal
  • the support or maintenance of someone or something, especially through the provision of money: provision is made for the sustentation of preachers

Origin:

late Middle English: from Old French, or from Latin sustentatio(n-), from sustentare 'uphold, sustain', frequentative of sustinere (see sustain)