Retain

Definition of Retain

Re`tain´   Pronunciation: rė`tān´
v. t.1.To continue to hold; to keep in possession; not to lose, part with, or dismiss; to restrain from departure, escape, or the like.
[imp. & p. p. Retained (rė*tānd"); p. pr. & vb. n. Retaining.]
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.
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.
v. i.1.To belong; to pertain.
A somewhat languid relish, retaining to bitterness.
- Boyle.
2.To keep; to continue; to remain.

Related Words

absorb, balance, ballast, bear in mind, bespeak, book, bottle up, brief, brood over, cherish, cite, commission, conserve, contain, cork up, counterbalance, detain, dwell on, dwell upon, engage, enjoy, extend, fan the embers, firm, firm up, freeze, hang on to, have in mind, hold back, hold in, hold in mind, hold on to, husband, immobilize, inhibit, keep alive, keep back, keep by one, keep going, keep in, keep in memory, keep in mind, keep in reserve, keep in store, keep in view, keep on hand, keep out, keep up, lay by, lengthen, lock in, maintain, memorize, mind, nail down, own, perpetuate, pin down, possess, preengage, preserve, prolong, protract, put apart, put aside, put by, recollect, recruit, remind, reminisce, repress, reserve, retrospect, revive, save, save up, set apart, set aside, set by, sign on, sign up, sign up for, soak up, stabilitate, stabilize, steady, stick, suppress, sustain, take into employment, take on, transfix, treasure, withhold
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