MAINTAIN

vt to continue; not to suffer to cease or fail.

2. maintain ·vt to affirm; to support or defend by argument.

3. maintain ·vt to keep possession of; to hold and defend; not to surrender or relinquish.

4. maintain ·vt to bear the expense of; to support; to keep up; to supply with what is needed.

5. maintain ·vt to hold or keep in any particular state or condition; to support; to sustain; to uphold; to keep up; not to suffer to fail or decline; as, to maintain a certain degree of heat in a furnace; to maintain a fence or a railroad; to maintain the digestive process or powers of the stomach; to maintain the fertility of soil; to maintain present reputation.