transitive. Originally: to claim or suppose (something) to exist, to be true, or to be as stated; (occasionally) to claim (someone) to be as…

To defend, uphold, or give support to (a cause, etc.); to maintain (one's opinion). Obsolete.

transitive. To support or uphold in speech or argument; to defend (an opinion, statement, tenet, etc.); to assert the truth or validity of.

To affirm, assert, maintain that. Obsolete.

transitive. With that-clause as object. To support (a contention or argument); to maintain (that something is the case). Also occasionally with…

transitive. With clause as object or with complement. To maintain (a contested statement); to contend. Obsolete.

hold (‥) hand. to hold in hand: to assure (one); to maintain (that.‥). To pay attention to; to keep in expectation or suspense (see hand, n. phrases…

To maintain (a statement), to warrant or guarantee (a fact). Now chiefly northern dialect and Scottish.

To declare (a statement) to be true; to uphold as the truth; to corroborate, support. Obsolete.

To maintain, uphold, or defend (an assertion, cause, etc.) by argument or disputation; to argue or contend (that something is so). ? Obsolete.

transitive. With clause as object. To contend or maintain that. Also: to argue which, whether, etc. Obsolete.

With object clause: To maintain. rare.

‘Often loosely used (esp. in U.S.) for: Contend, maintain, assert’. (F. Hall.)