v.
- continue to have; keep possession of.
▸not abolish, discard, or alter.
▸keep in one's memory.
- absorb and continue to hold (a substance).
- keep in place; hold fixed.
- keep engaged in one's service.
▸secure the services of (a barrister) with a preliminary payment.
Derivative
- retainability n.
- retainable adj.
- retaining adj.
- retainment n.
Etymology
ME: via Anglo-Norman Fr. from OFr. retenir, from L. retinere, from re- ‘back’ + tenere ‘hold’.