Māin'te-nançe, n.

(Synop., § 130), n. [O. Fr. maintenance, Pr. mantenensa, O. Sp. mantenencia, mantenencia, Pg. mantenencia. See supra.] 1. The act of maintaining, supporting, upholding, defending, or keeping up; sustenance; support; defense; vindication. Whatever is granted to the church for God's honor and the maintenance of his service, is granted to God. Scott. 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 intermeddling in a cause depending between others, by assisting either party with money or means to prosecute or defend it. See CHAMPERTY. Brande. Wharton.