1. (n.) The act of sustaining, or the state of being sustained; preservation from falling; support; sustenance; maintenance.

2. (n.) The aggregate of the functions by which a living organism is maintained in a normal condition of weight and growth.

Samaritan a leg up abet acolyte adjutant agent aide aide-de-camp aider alimony alleviate alleviation allotment allowance alterative analeptic ancilla annuity assist assistance assistant assister assuagement attendant auxiliary avail backer backing bail out balm balsam bear a hand befriend befriender benefactor benefactress benefit benefiter best man bounty carriage carrying clear the way coadjutant coadjutor coadjutress coadjutrix comfort corrective cure depletion allowance deputy do for do good doctor dole ease executive officer expedite explain facilitate favor fellowship finance financial assistance fund give a boost give a hand give a lift give help good Samaritan good person grant grant-in-aid grease grease the ways grease the wheels guaranteed annual income hand hasten healing agent healing quality help help along help out helper helping hand helpmate helpmeet jack-at-a-pinch lend a hand lend one aid lieutenant lift lighten loose lubricate maintenance make clear make way for ministering angel ministrant mitigate mitigation moral support oil old-age insurance open the way open up paranymph paraprofessional patron pave the way pay the bills pecuniary aid pension pension off prepare the way prescription price support proffer aid protect psychological support public assistance public welfare quicken rally receipt recipe reclaim redeem reliance relief relieve remedial measure remedy remove friction render assistance rescue restorative restore resuscitate retirement benefits revive run interference for save scholarship second security blanket servant set up sideman simplify smooth smooth the way soap the ways sovereign remedy specific specific remedy speed stead stipend striker subsidization subsidize subsidy subvention succor succorer support supporting actor supporting instrumentalist supportive relationship supportive therapy sustaining sustainment sustenance sustentation take in tow tax benefit unbar unblock unclog unjam upholding upkeep welfare welfare aid welfare payments