maintain
pronunciation
How to pronounce maintain in British English:
UK [meɪnˈteɪn]
How to pronounce maintain in American English:
US [meɪnˈteɪn]
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- Verb:
- keep in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., "keep clean"
- keep in safety and protect from harm, decay, loss, or destruction
- supply with necessities and support
- state categorically
- of power or authority
- maintain for use and service
- maintain by writing regular records
- state or assert
- support against an opponent
- observe correctly or closely
Word Origin
- maintain
- maintain: [13] Etymologically, maintain means ‘hold in the hand’. It comes via Old French maintenir from Vulgar Latin *manūtenēre ‘support’, a compound verb formed from manū, the ablative case of manus ‘hand’, and tenēre ‘hold’. The derivative maintenance [14] comes from Old French.=> maintenance, manual, tenant
- maintain (v.)
- mid-13c., "to practice habitually," from Anglo-French meintenir (Old French maintenir, 12c.) "keep (a wife), sustain; persevere in, practice continually," from Latin manu tenere "hold in the hand," from manu, ablative of manus "hand" (see manual) + tenere "to hold" (see tenet). Meaning "to carry on, keep up" is from mid-14c.; that of "to keep oneself, to support" is from late 14c. Sense of "to defend in speech" is from mid-14c. Related: Maintained; maintaining; maintains.
Antonym
Example
- 1. Such achievers must maintain that drive . "
- 2. We both want to maintain the relationship , so we make adjustments . "
- 3. Open communication can help build and maintain relationships with candidates who could be recruited in the future .
- 4. Maintain your professionalism , down to your dress and hairstyle . "
- 5. Sunrun raises project capital to buy , install , and maintain its customers ' rooftop solar systems .