maintainest

Verb

maintain (third-person singular simple present maintains, present participle maintaining, simple past and past participle maintained)

1. To keep up; to preserve; to uphold (a state, condition etc.).
   • maintain contact

   Synonyms:

   subsist

2. To declare or affirm (a clause) to be true; to assert.
   • Pullman traditionalists will no doubt maintain that the full-service-at-every-seat principle is popular with their clientele; [...].1962 December, “A new Pullman era?”, in Modern Railways, page 362
3. To keep in good condition and working order.
   • The admirable smoothness of the riding also reflected the greatest credit on those who, despite the difficulties caused by the shortage of men and materials, have succeeded in maintaining the track in such first-class order.1946 July and August, Cecil J. Allen, “British Locomotive Practice and Performance”, in Railway Magazine, page 213
4. (obsolete, transitive) To support (someone), to back up or assist (someone) in an action.
   • And thenne he asked leue & wente oute of his heremytage for to mayntene his neuewe ageynst the myghty Erle and so hit happed that this man that lyeth here dede dyd so moche by his wysedome and hardynes that the Erle was take and thre of his lordes by force of this dede man.1485, Sir Thomas Malory, “j”, in Le Morte Darthur, book XV
5. (intransitive, slang, African-American Vernacular) To keep composed; to keep one's head up; to stay confident, strong, self-assured; to avoid being a victim; to keep oneself from falling apart.
   • No matter what, you gotta maintain.