'unmaintained' originates from the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' and the verb 'maintain', which comes from Old French 'maintenir', derived from Latin 'manu tenere', where 'manu' meant 'hand' and 'tenere' meant 'to hold'.

'maintenir' transformed into the Middle English word 'maintainen', and eventually became the modern English word 'maintain'.

Initially, 'maintain' meant 'to hold in the hand', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to keep in good condition'.