'Retain' definitions:
Definition of 'retain'
From: WordNet
verb
Hold back within; "This soil retains water"; "I retain this drug for a long time"; "the dam retains the water"
verb
Allow to remain in a place or position or maintain a property or feature; "We cannot continue several servants any longer"; "She retains a lawyer"; "The family's fortune waned and they could not keep their household staff"; "Our grant has run out and we cannot keep you on"; "We kept the work going as long as we could"; "She retained her composure"; "this garment retains its shape even after many washings" [syn: retain, continue, keep, keep on]
verb
Secure and keep for possible future use or application; "The landlord retained the security deposit"; "I reserve the right to disagree" [syn: retain, hold, keep back, hold back]
verb
Keep in one's mind; "I cannot retain so much information"
Definition of 'Retain'
From: GCIDE
- Retain \Re*tain"\ (r[-e]*t[=a]n"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Retained (r[-e]*t[=a]nd"); 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 restrain from departure, escape, or the like. "Thy shape invisible retain." --Shak. [1913 Webster]
- Be obedient, and retain Unalterably firm his love entire. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
- An executor may retain a debt due to him from the testator. --Blackstone. [1913 Webster]
- 2. To keep in pay; to employ by a preliminary fee paid; to hire; to engage; as, to retain a counselor. [1913 Webster]
- A Benedictine convent has now retained the most learned father of their order to write in its defense. --Addison. [1913 Webster]
- 3. To restrain; to prevent. [Obs.] --Sir W. Temple. [1913 Webster]
- 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. [1913 Webster]
- Syn: To keep; hold; restrain. See Keep. [1913 Webster]
Definition of 'Retain'
From: GCIDE
- Retain \Re*tain"\, v. i.
- 1. To belong; to pertain. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
- A somewhat languid relish, retaining to bitterness. --Boyle. [1913 Webster]
- 2. To keep; to continue; to remain. [Obs.] --Donne. [1913 Webster]
Synonyms of 'retain'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- 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,
- employ,
- engage,
- enjoy,
- extend,
- fan the embers,
- firm,
- firm up,
- freeze,
- hang on to,
- have in mind,
- hire,
- hold,
- hold back,
- hold in,
- hold in mind,
- hold on to,
- husband,
- immobilize,
- inhibit,
- keep,
- 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,
- recall,
- recollect,
- recruit,
- remember,
- 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