verb
    
    -tains; -tained; -taining
    
    [+ obj] to provide what is needed for (something or someone) to exist, continue, etc.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    formal :to hold up the weight of (something)
    
    
    
    formal :to deal with or experience (something bad or unpleasant) :suffer
    
    
    
    
    
    law :to decide or state that (something) is proper, legal, or fair
    
    
    
    
    
    formal :to show that (something) is true or correct :to confirm or prove (something)