MAINTAIN

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 to keep in an existing state (as of repair, efficiency, or validity) ; preserve from failure or decline , to sustain against opposition or danger ; uphold and defend , to continue or persevere in ; carry on , keep up , 4. to support or provide for , sustain , to affirm in or as if in argument ; assert , ~ability noun ~able adjective ~er noun Synonyms: see: ~