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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Maintening, Man-, Menten(e)ing, -temyn(g, vbl. n. Also: maine-, mayn-, mane- and -tenyng, -tein(n)ing, -yng(e, -teyn(n)(e)ing, -yng, -tining; manttinyn, meynteinyng. [ME. and e.m.E. mayntenyng (c 1330), -teynynge, meyntenyng.]

1. Bearing, deportment, behaviour. c1460 Thewis Wysmen 81.
Quha levis her vysly … Thar hawing and thare mentemynge Settis thaim weill in euirilk thinge Ib. 313.
Thar mantemyng, and thar contenans, And wordis, schawis thar ignorans

2. Keeping in being (a state of affairs etc.), upholding, supporting (an institution, authority, etc.), fostering, furthering (a cause etc.).(a) 1456 Hay I. 140/25.
Hardy in the manetenyng of the richtis of ladyes c1590 Fowler II. 137/4.
Some prences for the better maintening there estate heth disarmed there subiects(b) 1539 Reg. Privy S. II. 452/2.
The fenȝeing, using, fortyfying and manteinyng of fals instrumentis and acquittances 1562-3 Winȝet I. 44/26.
The abomination of wychecraft and schameles mantening thairof 1568 Lyndesay Pref. 9.
Quhat had he said of … the mantening of derth … in transporting of victuallis furth of the realme 1591 Elgin Rec. II. 18.
For keiping and manteining of hoistilarie within thair houssis a1595 Cullen Chron. Aberd. 35.
To do justice in punessing of wrayng and in manttinyn the trowcht 1638 Bk. Pasquils 51.
For mantining stryffe and debait 1640 Rec. Kirk Scotl. 640.
Manteining(c) 1570 Leslie 155.
For fordring of justice and menteining of the same a1578 Pitsc. I. 106 n.
Menteneing Ib. 149/5.
Menteinning 1612 St. A. Baxter Bks. 77.
To advyse annent gude ordour and mentenyng of quietnes and brotherlie love

b. Keeping in a certain state. a1578 Pitsc. I. 42/12.
For mantening of the same [common weal] in peace and rest

3. Supporting, protecting, aiding (a person); abetting or countenancing (wrong-doers); also, governing and protecting as a ruler. 1456 Hay II. 50/35.
Knychtis … has a grete charge … quhat of thair landis governyng and of thair peple maynteyning 1459 Liber Aberbr. II. 108.
The said lard tuk the said Ade in mantemyn 1524 Douglas Corr. 96.
For the weall and prosperous maynteynnyng of the … yong King c 1560 Sc. Hist. Rev. XXI. 143.
That my lord … assist … the … meynteinyng the congregatioune in thair leberte and to the doune putting of al ydolatrie [etc.] 1570 Leslie 141.
Adame Scot of Tuschelaw … wes accuset of thift, resett, and maineteyning of thevis a1578 Pitsc. I. 183/23.
Because of fortiefieing and manteining of the kingis grace in his particular effairis

4. Providing with the means of subsistence, providing for (a person's) livelihood or upkeep. c1420 Wynt. viii. 5673.
And for till have his mantenyng [v.rr. man-, maynteinyng(e], Thai wald send hym in the mornyng A present off wyttaille and off wyne 1600 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 91.
In the upbringing and keiping and mantening of thair maiesties childrein 1622 Glasgow Trades House 104.
For menteining of ane bursar 1670 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. MS. 26 Oct.
Mainteining

5. Keeping in repair or in good order (a building etc.). b. Keeping (a factory) supplied with equipment. 1632 Peebles Gleanings 124.
For … menteining thair pairt of the caull 1641 Acts V. 494/2.
Erecting and menteyneing of ane lighte wpoun the Ile of Maij 1658 Aberd. B. Rec. IV. 176.
By intertaneing and manteneing of such ground as ar links 1670 Ib. 269.
Manteiningb. 1637 Aberd. B. Rec. III. 107.
The erecting, furnishing and manteining of the said hous with toolis, instrumentis [etc.]