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Added 9 October 2026

maintain

/meɪnˈteɪn/ verb

In Latin: habeo, tueor Wiktionary

verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about maintain at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

To keep up; to preserve; to uphold (a state, condition etc.). .mw-parser-output .defdate{font-size:smaller}
maintain contact
To declare or affirm (a clause) to be true; to assert.
To keep in good condition and working order.

Origin

From Middle English mayntenen, from Old French maintenir, from Late Latin manūteneō, manūtenēre (“I support”), from Latin manū (“with/in/by the hand”, ablative of manus) + tenēre (“to hold”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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