Mainpernor

mai i'per-ner, n. {Law.) A surety for a prisoner's appearance in court at a day. [OF. main (L. manus), hand, and pern or (F. preneur), a taker, verner (F. prendre, L. prehend ere), to take.] — Main'prise, -priz, n. (Law.) A writ directed to the sheriff, commanding him to take sureties, called mainpernors, for the prisoner's appearance, and to let him go at large deliverance of a prisoner on security for his appearance at a day. — v. [main prised (-prizd), -prising.] To suffer to go at large, on sureties for appearance. — Maintain'', -tan', v. [-tained (-tand'), -taining.] To hold or keep in any particular condition; to keep up, sustain; to keep po e ion of, hold and defend; to continue; to bear the expense of, supply with what is needed; to support by a ertion or argument. — v. To affirm a position, a ert. [F. maintenir, L. manu tenere, to hold in, or by, the hand.] -Maintain able, a. -Maintain er, n.— Main'tenance, -te-nans, n. Act of maintaining; sustenance; support; defense; vindication; that which maintains or supports; means of sustenance. (Crim. Law.) An officious intermeddling in a cause depending between others. Maiolica. See Majolica.