MAINTENANCE Copy link • MAINTENANCEDefence, support, defensio; tuitio; propugnatio; or by the verbs; e.g., quantum esset ad rem obtinendam. Nourishment, support of life, sustentatio (Ulp.); use the verbs, e.g., sustinere, sustentare, alere (☞ nutritus, only Plin., 22, 24, 53, in another sense): alimenta (Juristical technical term, sum allowed for the maintenance of a wife).