English Dictionary: retain | by the DICT Development Group |
3 results for retain | |
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]: | |
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From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Retain \Re*tain"\, v. i. 1. To belong; to pertain. [Obs.] A somewhat languid relish, retaining to bitterness. --Boyle. 2. To keep; to continue; to remain. [Obs.] --Donne. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
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. [bd]Thy shape invisibleretain.[b8] --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}. |