![Membean Word Root Of the Day show](https://d3dthqtvwic6y7.cloudfront.net/podcast-covers/000/025/719/small/membean-word-root-of-the-day.jpg)
Summary: The Latin root word *ten* means "hold." This root is the word origin of many English vocabulary words, including main[*ten*]ance, [*ten*]or, and [*ten*]acious. Perhaps the easiest way to remember this root word is through the English noun [*ten*]ant, for a [*ten*]ant "holds" the lease of the property where she lives.