maintenance Copy link Outline I. The act of maintainingII. Means of support1. ălĭmentum2. exhĭbĭtio (also legal term)3. sustentātio (support) • maintenance: I. The act of maintaining: expr. by verb: for the m. of law, dignity, etc., legis, dignitatis conservandae s. tuendae causa: v. to maintain. See also defence. II. Means of support: 1. ălĭmentum: usu. pl. (allowance for livelihood): to claim a m. from the imperial treasury, alimenta a fisco petere, Ulp. Dig. 2, 15, 8 § 19: to issue an order for m., alimenta decernere, ib. 27, 2., 3. 2. exhĭbĭtio (also legal term): what suffices for m., quod exhibitioni sufficit, ib. 27., 2., 3 § 3. 3. sustentātio (support): Ulp. Dig. 24, 3, 8 § 8.