(1):

(v. t.) To keep possession of; to hold and defend; not to surrender or relinquish.

(2):

(v. t.) To continue; not to suffer to cease or fail.

(3):

(v. t.) To bear the expense of; to support; to keep up; to supply with what is needed.

(4):

(v. t.) To affirm; to support or defend by argument.

(5):

(v. t.) 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.