handhaven

Meaning

  1. (transitive) to enforce, to maintain, to uphold
  2. (transitive) to persevere with, to persist with/in
  3. (reflexive) to remain in charge, to remain in place

Frequency

C1
Pronounced as (IPA)
/ˈɦɑntˌɦaː.və(n)/
Etymology

In summary

From Middle Dutch hanthaven, from Middle High German hanthaben, itself a calque from Old French maintenir, from Vulgar Latin manūteneō. Likely based also on Middle Dutch handhave (“handle”). Cognate with German handhaben.

Notes

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