'self-maintained' originates from the combination of 'self,' meaning 'one's own,' and 'maintained,' derived from the Latin 'manutenere,' where 'manu' meant 'hand' and 'tenere' meant 'to hold.'

'maintained' changed from the Old French word 'maintenir' 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 a certain state.'