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retain

 - 4 dictionary results

re⋅tain

  [ri-teyn]
Use retain in a Sentence
–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 retinēre to hold back, hold fast, equiv. to re- re- + -tinēre, comb. form of tenēre 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
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To retain
re·tain   (rĭ-tān')   
tr.v.   re·tained, re·tain·ing, re·tains

  1. To maintain possession of. See Synonyms at keep.

  2. To keep or hold in a particular place, condition, or position.

  3. To keep in mind; remember.

  4. To hire (an attorney, for example) by the payment of a fee.

  5. 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.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Legal Dictionary

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
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: re·tain
Pronunciation: ri-'tAn
Function: transitive verb
1 : to hold or keep in <retain fluids>
2 : to keep in mind or memory
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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