maintenance

maintenance, upkeep

noun mehn-teh-NAHNS Rare

Origin: Old French maintenance, from maintenir (to maintain), from main (hand) + tenir (to hold)

Usage Note

Maintenance covers both technical upkeep (la maintenance d'un système informatique) and broader servicing (contrat de maintenance — service contract). In French the word leans technical/industrial; for 'keeping up appearances' or personal upkeep, entretien is more natural.

Examples

"Le contrat de maintenance expire en décembre."

Natural Translation

The maintenance contract expires in December.

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