Maintaining

[meyn-teyn] /meɪnˈteɪn/

verb (used with object)
1.
to keep in existence or continuance; preserve; retain:
to maintain good relations with neighboring countries.
2.
to keep in an appropriate condition, operation, or force; keep unimpaired:
to maintain order; to maintain public highways.
3.
to keep in a specified state, position, etc.:
to maintain a correct posture; to maintain good health.
4.
to affirm; assert; declare:
He maintained that the country was going downhill.
5.
to support in speech or argument, as a statement or proposition.
6.
to keep or hold against attack:
to maintain one’s ground.
7.
to provide for the upkeep or support of; carry the expenses of:
to maintain a family.
8.
to sustain or support:
not enough water to maintain life.
/meɪnˈteɪn/
verb (transitive)
1.
to continue or retain; keep in existence
2.
to keep in proper or good condition: to maintain a building
3.
to support a style of living: the money maintained us for a month
4.
(takes a clause as object) to state or assert: he maintained that Talbot was wrong
5.
to defend against contradiction; uphold: she maintained her innocence
6.
to defend against physical attack
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.

noun

The female counterpart of machismo: Machisma, Women, and Daring (1970s+)