transcription, транскрипция: [ mān-ˈtān, mən- ]
transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English mainteinen, from Anglo-French maintenir, maynteiner, from Medieval Latin manutenēre, from Latin manu tenēre to hold in the hand
Date: 14th century
1. : to keep in an existing state (as of repair, efficiency, or validity) : preserve from failure or decline
maintain machinery
2. : to sustain against opposition or danger : uphold and defend
maintain a position
3. : to continue or persevere in : carry on , keep up
couldn't maintain his composure
4.
a. : to support or provide for
has a family to maintain
b. : sustain
enough food to maintain life
5. : to affirm in or as if in argument : assert
maintain ed that the earth is flat
• main·tain·abil·i·ty -ˌtā-nə-ˈbi-lə-tē noun
• main·tain·able -ˈtā-nə-bəl adjective
• main·tain·er noun
Synonyms:
maintain , assert , defend , vindicate , justify mean to uphold as true, right, just, or reasonable. maintain stresses firmness of conviction
steadfastly maintained his innocence
assert suggests determination to make others accept one's claim
asserted her rights
defend implies maintaining in the face of attack or criticism
defended his voting record
vindicate implies successfully defending
his success vindicated our faith in him
justify implies showing to be true, just, or valid by appeal to a standard or to precedent
the action was used to justify military intervention