It is hard to maintain the truth, but much harder to be maintained
by it.
South.
Syn. -- To assert; vindicate; allege. See Assert.
Main*tain"a*ble (?), a. That may be maintained.
Main*tain"er (?), n. One who maintains.
Main*tain"or (?), n. [OF. mainteneor, F. mainteneur.] (Crim. Law) One
who, not being interested, maintains a cause depending between others,
by furnishing money, etc., to either party. Bouvier. Wharton.
Main"te*nance (?), n. [OF. maintenance. See Maintain.] 1. The act of
maintaining; sustenance; support; defense; vindication.
Whatsoever is granted to the church for God's honor and the
maintenance of his service, is granted to God.
South.
2. That which maintains or supports; means of sustenance; supply of
necessaries and conveniences.
Those of better fortune not making learning their maintenance.
Swift.
3. (Crim. Law) An officious or unlawful intermeddling in a cause
depending between others, by assisting either party with money or means
to carry it on. See Champerty. Wharton.
Cap of maintenance. See under Cap.
Main"top` (?), n. (Naut.) The platform about the head of the mainmast
in square-rigged vessels.
Main" yard` (?). (Naut.) The yard on which the mainsail is extended,
supported by the mainmast.
Mai"oid (?), a. [Maia + - oid.] (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the genus
Maia, or family Maiadeæ.
Mais"ter (?), n. Master. [Obs.] Chaucer. Spenser.
Mais"ter, a. Principal; chief. [Obs.] Chaucer.
{ Mais"tre (?), Mais"trie, Mais"try (?) }, n. Mastery; superiority;
art. See Mastery. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Mais"tress (?), n. Mistress. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Mai"thes (?), n. (Bot.) Same as Maghet.
Maize (?), n. [Sp. maiz. fr. mahiz or mahis, is the language of the
Island of Hayti.] (Bot.) A large species of American grass of the genus
Zea (Z. Mays), widely cultivated as a forage and food plant; Indian
corn. Also, its seed, growing on cobs, and used as food for men and
animals.
Maize eater (Zoöl.), a South American bird of the genus Pseudoleistes,
allied to the troupials. -- Maize yellow, a delicate pale yellow.
{ Maj`es*tat"ic (?), Maj`es*tat"*al (?), } a. Majestic. [Obs.] E.
Pocock. Dr. J. Scott.
Ma*jes"tic (?), a. [From Majesty.] Possessing or exhibiting majesty; of
august dignity, stateliness, or imposing grandeur; lofty; noble; grand.
"The majestic world." Shak. "Tethys' grave majestic pace." Milton.
The least portions must be of the epic kind; all must be grave,
majestic, and sublime.
Dryden.
Syn. -- August; splendid; grand; sublime; magnificent; imperial; regal;
pompous; stately; lofty; dignified; elevated.
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Ma*jes"tic*al (?), a. Majestic. Cowley.
An older architecture, greater, cunninger, more majestical.