Main"te*nance (?), n.
[OF. maintenance.
See Maintain.]
1. The act
of maintaining; sustenance;
support; defense; vindication.
Whatsoever is granted to the church
for God's honor and the
maintenance of his service, is granted to God.
South. 2. That which maintains or supports; means of sustenance; supply of necessaries and
conveniences.
Those of better fortune not making learning their maintenance.
Swift. 3. (Crim. Law) An officious or unlawful intermeddling in a cause depending between others, by assisting either party with money or
means to carry it on. See Champerty. Wharton.
Cap of maintenance. See under Cap.
Hear it pronounced