Maintenance \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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)