[mənˈteɪn], (Verb)

Definitions:
- cause or enable (a condition or situation) to continue
(e.g: the need to maintain close links between industry and schools)

- provide with necessities for life or existence
(e.g: the allowance covers the basic costs of maintaining a child)

- state something strongly to be the case; assert
(e.g: he has always maintained his innocence)


Phrases:

Origin:
Middle English (also in the sense ‘practise an action habitually’): from Old French maintenir, from Latin manu tenere ‘hold in the hand’