Maintain

men-tān′, v.t. to keep in any state: to keep po e ion of: to preserve from capture or lo : to carry on: to keep up: to support: to make good: to support by argument: to affirm: to defend.— v.i. to affirm, as a position: to a ert.— adj. Maintain′able , that can be supported or defended.— ns. Maintain′er , one who maintains; Main′tenance , the act of maintaining, supporting, or defending: continuance: the means of support: defence, protection: ( law ) an interference in a lawsuit, ., in favour of one of the parties, by one who has no right or interest.— Cap of maintenance , a cap of dignity borne by or before nobles and other persons of rank. [Fr. maintenir —L. manu tenēre , to hold in the hand— manus , a hand, tenēre , to hold.]