n.
Pronunciation: ' m ā nt-n ə n(t)s, ' m ā n-t ə -n ə n(t)s
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from maintenir
Date: 14th century
1 : the act of maintaining : the state of being maintained : SUPPORT
2 : something that maintains
3 : the upkeep of property or equipment
4 : an officious or unlawful intermeddling in a legal suit by assisting either party with means to carry it on