maintain

/mān-ˈtān/

Middle English mainteinen, from Anglo-French maintenir, maynteiner, from Medieval Latin manutenēre, from Latin manu tenēre to hold in the hand

verb

  1. to keep in an existing state (as of repair, efficiency, or validity) : preserve from failure or decline

  2. to sustain against opposition or danger : uphold and defend

  3. to continue or persevere in : carry on, keep up

maintain machinery

maintain assert defend vindicate justify mean to uphold as true, right, just, or reasonable. maintain stresses firmness of conviction. assert suggests determination to make others accept one's claim.

idiom

  1. to make it possible for life to exist or continue

They barely had enough food to maintain life.

idiom

  1. to not become angry or upset

He was struggling to maintain his cool/composure.