maintenance
/ˈmeɪntənəns/noun
mass noun
1
- the process of maintaining or preserving someone or something or the state of being maintained维持; 保持：
crucial conditions for the maintenance of democratic government.
维持民主政体的关键条件。
1.1
- the process of keeping something in good condition维护, 养护：
car maintenance
汽车保养
as modifier essential maintenance work.基本的维护工作。
2
- the provision of financial support for a person's living expenses, or the support so provided供养, 扶养。
2.1
- （亦作separate maintenance）a husband's or wife's provision for a spouse after separation or divorce（夫妻分手或离婚后一方付给另一方的）生活费。
2.2
- Law, historical the former offence of aiding a party in a legal action without lawful cause【律】〈史〉包揽诉讼罪; 非法资助诉讼罪。
词源
Middle English （in the sense 'aiding a party in a legal action without lawful cause'）： from Old French， from maintenir （see MAINTAIN）.