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retain

7 dictionary results for: retain

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

re·tain

[ri-teyn] Pronunciation Key

–verb (used with object)

1.	to keep possession of.

2.	to continue to use, practice, etc.: to retain an old custom.

3.	to continue to hold or have: to retain a prisoner in custody; a cloth that retains its color.

4.	to keep in mind; remember.

5.	to hold in place or position.

6.	to engage, esp. by payment of a preliminary fee: to retain a lawyer.

[Origin: 1350–1400; ME reteinen < OF retenir < L retinére to hold back, hold fast, equiv. to re- re- + -tinére, comb. form of tenére to hold

]

—Related forms

re·tain·a·ble, adjective

re·tain·a·bil·i·ty, re·tain·a·ble·ness, noun

re·tain·ment, noun

—Synonyms 1. hold, preserve. See keep.

—Antonyms 1. loose, lose. 4. forget.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

re·tain (rĭ-tān') Pronunciation Key
tr.v. re·tained, re·tain·ing, re·tains

To maintain possession of. See Synonyms at keep.
To keep or hold in a particular place, condition, or position.
To keep in mind; remember.
To hire (an attorney, for example) by the payment of a fee.
To keep in one's service or pay.

[Middle English retainen, from Old French retenir, from Latin retinēre : re-, re- + tenēre, to hold; see ten- in Indo-European roots.]

re·tain'a·bil'i·ty n., re·tain'a·ble adj., re·tain'ment n.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
retain

c.1386, from O.Fr. retenir, from L. retinere "hold back," from re- "back" + tenere "to hold" (see tenet). Meaning "keep (another) attached to one's person, keep in service" is from 1450; specifically of lawyers, 1548.

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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

retain
verb
1.	hold back within; "This soil retains water"; "I retain this drug for a long time"; "the dam retains the water"
2.	allow to remain in a place or position or maintain a property or feature; "We cannot continue several servants any longer"; "She retains a lawyer"; "The family's fortune waned and they could not keep their household staff"; "Our grant has run out and we cannot keep you on"; "We kept the work going as long as we could"; "She retained her composure"; "this garment retains its shape even after many washings"
3.	secure and keep for possible future use or application; "The landlord retained the security deposit"; "I reserve the right to disagree"
4.	keep in one's mind; "I cannot retain so much information"

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Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law - Cite This Source - Share This
Main Entry: re·tain
Pronunciation: ri-'tAn
Function: transitive verb
1 : to keep in possession or use
2 : to keep in one's pay or service; specifically : to employ (as a lawyer) by paying a retainer

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Retain

Re*tain"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Retained; p. pr. & vb. n. Retaining.] [F. retainir, L. retinere; pref. re- re- + tenere to hold, keep. See Tenable, and cf. Rein of a bridle, Retention, Retinue.]

1. To continue to hold; to keep in possession; not to lose, part with, or dismiss; to retrain from departure, escape, or the like. "Thy shape invisibleretain." --Shak.

Be obedient, and retain Unalterably firm his love entire. --Milton.

An executor may retain a debt due to him from the testator. --Blackstone.

2. To keep in pay; to employ by a preliminary fee paid; to hire; to engage; as, to retain a counselor.

A Benedictine convent has now retained the most learned father of their order to write in its defense. --Addison.

3. To restrain; to prevent. [Obs.] --Sir W. Temple.

Retaining wall (Arch. & Engin.), a wall built to keep any movable backing, or a bank of sand or earth, in its place; -- called also retain wall.

Syn: To keep; hold; retrain. See Keep.

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Retain

Re*tain"\, v. i. 1. To belong; to pertain. [Obs.]

A somewhat languid relish, retaining to bitterness. --Boyle.