Maintenance

Maintenance

Noun · /ˈmeɪn.tɪ.nəns/

Definition

The process of maintaining or preserving something, or the state of being maintained; work done to keep something in good condition; financial support given to a person, especially by a former spouse after separation or divorce; (Law) the continuing financial support of a person.

Origin

From Old French maintenance, from maintenir (to maintain, to hold in the hand, to uphold), from Latin manu tenere — manu, ablative of manus (hand) + tenere (to hold). Maintenance thus etymologically means holding in the hand — the continuous act of holding something up and keeping it in condition. The word entered English in the 14th century.