maintenance English · revision 4588

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1321–2|origins=fro maintenir}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈmeɪn.tən.əns/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|maintenaunce]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) [[bor|fro|maintenance|t=upkeep; shelter, protection]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from maintenir “to keep, sustain”,^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) the source of [[maintain]],^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) and the suffix [[-ance]].^(MWU 2024)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ In law, wrongfully aiding and abetting litigation: 1321–2 in the OED;^(OED 1989) the mid-14th century in Etymonline, of a lord or his followers interfering in others' lawsuits.^(Etymonline) Bearing or behaviour: about 1369, now obsolete.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Providing a person with the necessities of life, and financial support, is from the late 14th century (1389 in the OED).^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) Upholding a cause or right is from 1413,^(OED 1989) and keeping something in working order or repair from about 1460, the early 15th century in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) Support paid to a wife by a separated husband, ''separate maintenance'', is from 1722.^(OED 1989) In medicine, giving a patient a drug over a long period, as a ''maintenance dose'', is from 1936.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1321–2 – wrongful aid in litigation.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1369 – bearing (obsolete).^(OED 1989)

+ * 1389 – financial support.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1413 – upholding a cause.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1460 – upkeep, repair.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1722 – ''separate maintenance''.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1936 – a maintenance dose.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The work of keeping something in good condition; [[upkeep]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The act of maintaining or the state of being maintained.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Financial support, especially paid to a former spouse; [[alimony]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(law)'' Unlawful intervention in a lawsuit by aiding one party.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[nonmaintenance]]

+ * [[premaintenance]]

+ * [[maintenance-free]]

+ * [[health maintenance organization]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[maintain]]

+ * [[manual]]

+ * [[tenant]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}