to hold or keep in any particular state or condition; to support; to sustain; to uphold; to keep up; not to suffer to fail or decline; as, to maintain a certain degree of heat in a furnace; to maintain a fence or a railroad; to maintain the digestive process or powers of the stomach; to maintain the fertility of soil; to maintain present reputation.-to keep possession of; to hold and defend; not to surrender or relinquish.-to continue; not to suffer to cease or fail.-to bear the expense of; to support; to keep up; to supply with what is needed.-to affirm; to support or defend by argument.