Maintenaient (en. Maintained)

/mɛ̃tə.nɛ/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench

verb

Form of the verb 'maintain' in the imperfect indicative for the third person plural.

They were maintaining pressure on the opposing team.

Ils maintenaient la pression sur le groupe adverse.

To support or keep something in a certain state.

They were maintaining their position despite criticism.

Ils maintenaient leur position malgré les critiques.

To preserve or prolong something.

They were keeping the family tradition alive.

Elles maintenaient la tradition familiale vivante.

From the verb 'maintain', derived from the Latin 'manu tenere', meaning 'to hold by the hand'.

to maintain course

To continue in the same direction or with the same effort.

maintenir le cap

to maintain order

To ensure adherence to rules and peace.

maintenir l'ordre

to keep a promise

To honor a promise made.

maintenir une promesse

maintain

To ensure that something remains in a certain state.

maintenir

support

To help or support something or someone.

soutenir

preserve

To protect something so that it is not destroyed.

préserver

To keep things as they are, without change.

We maintained the old style, it was cooler.

On maintenait le vieux style, c'était plus cool.

To cling to a situation or a group.

They maintained their bond even when things got complicated.

Ils maintenaient entre eux, même quand ça devenait compliqué.