maintenance /ˈmeɪnt(ə)nəns , -tɪn-/
▸ noun [mass noun]
1 the process of preserving a condition or situation or the state of being preserved:
crucial conditions for the maintenance of democratic government.
▪ the process of keeping something in good condition:
car maintenance
[as modifier] essential maintenance work.
2 the provision of financial support for a person's living expenses, or the support so provided:
a chance of going to university with fees and maintenance paid.
▪ Brit. a husband's or wife's provision for their spouse after separation or divorce:
a divorced man paying his ex-wife £2,500 a year maintenance.
3 Law the offence of aiding a party in a legal action without lawful cause.
– ORIGIN Middle English (in the sense ‘aiding a party in a legal action without lawful cause’): from Old French, from maintenir (see maintain).
Comments