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To hold or maintain persistently. [Obs.] Barrow.

attacks some theirs or proposition, in distinction from the respondent, or defendant, who maintains it. How becomingly does Philopolis exercise his office, and seasonably commit the opponent with the respondent, like a long-practiced moderator! Dr. H. More.

master of himself, or in possession of his senses]." Shak. To hold one's own, to keep or maintain one's possessions; to yield nothing; esp., to suffer no loss or disadvantage in a contest. Shak.

A yielding ring, as of metal, which surrounds a piston and maintains a tight fit, as inside a cylinder, etc.

esp., the worship of idols or false gods, or the system of religious opinions and worship maintained by pagans; heathenism.

pertaining to a parish; parochial; as, a parish church; parish records; a parish priest; maintained by the parish; as, parish poor. Dryden. Parish clerk. (a) The clerk or recording officer of a parish. (b) A layman who leads in the responses and otherwise assists in the service of the Church of England. -- Parish cou…

ve sense. "Men of considerable parts." Burke. "Great quickness of parts." Macaulay. Which maintained so politic a state of evil, that they will not admit any good part to intermingle with them. Shak.

To act as a patron of; to maintain; to defend. [Obs.] Shak.

Maintained by a pension; receiving a pension; as, pensionary spies. Donne.

any business or enterprise undertaken; to pursue steadily any project or course begun; to maintain a purpose in spite of counter influences, opposition, or discouragement; not to give or abandon what is undertaken. Thrice happy, if they know Their happiness, and persevere upright. Milton.

Enabled to maintain pleas in court. Cowell.

To discuss, defend, and attempt to maintain by arguments or reasons presented to a tribunal or person having uthority to determine; to argue at the bar; as, to plead a cause before a court or jury. Every man should plead his own matter. Sir T. More.

Of or pertaining to controversy; maintaining, or involving, controversy; controversial; disputative; as, a polemic discourse or essay; polemic theology.

One who practices polygamy, or maintains its lawfulness.

One who maintains that animals of the same species have sprung from more than one original pair; -- opposed to monogenist.

One who believes in, or maintains the doctrine of, a plurality of gods.

A dwelling for a number of paupers maintained at public expense; an almshouse; a workhouse.

To assume and maintain a studied attitude, with studied arrangement of drapery; to strike an attitude; to attitudinize; figuratively, to assume or affect a certain character; as, she poses as a prude. He . . . posed before her as a hero. Thackeray.

An inclosure, maintained by public authority, in which cattle or other animals are confined when taken in trespassing, or when going at large in violation of law; a pinfold. Shak.

One who maintains the validity of ordination and government by presbyters; a member of the Presbyterian church. Reformed Presbyterians. See Cameronian.