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   Main·tain

   /mānˈtān/

   

   verb

   • 1. cause or enable (a condition or state of affairs) to continue: "the need to maintain close links between industry and schools" Similar continuekeepkeep goingkeep upkeep alivekeep in existencecarry onpreserveconserveprolongperpetuatesustainbolster (up)prop upretainsupportbearOpposite break off
   • ▪ keep (something) at the same level or rate: "agricultural prices will have to be maintained"
   • ▪ keep (a building, machine, or road) in good condition or in working order by checking or repairing it regularly: "the Department for Transport is responsible for maintaining the main roads in England" Similar keep in good conditionkeep in repairkeep upservicerebuildconservepreservekeep intactcare fortake good care oflook afterOpposite neglect
   • 2. provide with necessities for life or existence: "the allowance covers the basic costs of maintaining a child" Similar supportprovide forkeepfinancenurturefeednourishsustainOpposite neglect
   • ▪ keep (a military unit) supplied with equipment and other requirements: "an English garrison was maintained there in the seventeenth century" Similar supportprovide forkeepfinancenurturefeednourishsustainOpposite neglect
   • ▪ give one's support to; uphold: archaic "the king swears he will maintain the laws of God" Similar upholddefendfight forchampionsupportbackadvocateOpposite abandon
   • 3. state something strongly to be the case; assert: "he has always maintained his innocence" Similar insist (on)declareassertproteststateaversayannounceaffirmavowprofessclaimallegecontendargueswear (to)hold torare:asseverateOpposite deny

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

   Derivatives

   • 1. maintainability noun
   • 2. maintainable adjective

   Scrabble Points: 10

   • M

     3

   • A

     1

   • I

     1

   • N

     1

   • T

     1

   • A

     1

   • I

     1

   • N

     1

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