Nearby Words
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.
EXPANDto hold in place or position.
6.
COLLAPSEto engage, especially by payment of a preliminary fee: to retain a lawyer.
Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English reteinen < Old French retenir < Latin retinēre to hold back, hold fast, equivalent to re- re- + -tinēre, combining form of tenēre to hold
1350–1400; Middle English reteinen < Old French retenir < Latin retinēre to hold back, hold fast, equivalent to re- re- + -tinēre, combining 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
non·re·tain·a·ble, adjective
non·re·tain·ment, noun
EXPANDAntonyms
1. loose, lose. 4. forget.
1. loose, lose. 4. forget.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
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Retainability
is always a great word to know.
So is quincunx. Does it mean:
| a chattering or flighty, light-headed person. |
| an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle. |
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
retain
late 14c., 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 mid-15c.; specifically of lawyers from 1540s.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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