maintain
/meɪnˈteɪn/·메인테인·verb
to keep in good condition; to keep up
LatinCEFR B1
Root
main- (hand, from manus) + Latin 'tenere' (to hold)
Latin manu tenere (hold by the hand) → Old French maintenir → English maintain
In a word
main (hand) + tain (hold) = compressed from Latin manu tenere "to hold by the hand". Maintain a road, maintain health, maintain an opinion — all "don't let go". A hand sits inside this everyday word, quietly.
Examples
It is important to maintain good health.
They maintain the roads every year.
He maintains that he is innocent.
Related
containsustainretaindetainmaintenance