the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > preservation from injury or destruction > preserve from injury or destruction [verb (transitive)] > preserve in existence or maintain > specifically a person or vital functions (2)
transitive. To sustain or prolong (life or strength); to maintain the health or function of (a person, organ of the body, etc.). Also: †to keep up…
transitive. To provide for the financial or material needs of (a person); to maintain or support with money or necessities. Obsolete.