maintain
/meɪnˈteɪn/
Word Rarity
Uncommon
Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.65 in modern English
10
Scrabble Score
8
Letters
2
Syllables
5
Unique Chars
Meaning
verb
To keep in good condition and working order.
verb
To keep composed; to keep one's head up; to stay confident, strong, self-assured; to avoid being a victim; to keep oneself from falling apart.
Intransitive verb; Slang
Example Sentences
- "maintain contact"
- "maintain order"
- "maintain a relationship"
- "It’s important to maintain good posture while sitting."
- "She struggled to maintain her composure under pressure."
- "Ther[idamas]. Won with thy words, & conquered with thy lookes, I yeeld my ſelfe, my men & horſe to thee: To be partaker of thy good or ill, As long as life maintaines Theridimas."
Etymology
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”).