Sekirov Dictionary

retain

UK /ɹɪˈteɪn/US /ɹəˈteɪn/

verb 20
noun 2
forms 6

verb20

•
To keep (something) in control or possession; to continue having (something); to keep back.
- Robert of Artoys banisht though thou be, / From Fraunce thy natiue Country, yet with vs, / Thou shalt retayne as great a Seigniorie: / For vve create thee Earle of Richmond heere, […] — 1596
•
To keep (something) in place or use, instead of removing or abolishing it; to preserve.
- And yet leste any manne should bee offended (whom good reason might satisfie) here be certayne causes rendered, why some of the accustomed Ceremonies be put awaye, and some be retayned and kept still. — 1549
To keep in control or possession; to continue having.
•
To keep (something) in the mind; to recall, to remember.
- Or that svveet Song I heard vvith such delight; / The same you sung alone one starry Night; / The Tune I still retain, but not the VVords. — 1697
•
To have the ability to keep something in the mind; to use the memory.
- Alike, to all the kind, impartial Heav'n / The sparks of truth and happiness has giv'n: / VVith sense to feel, vvith memory to retain, / They follovv pleasure, and they fly from pain; […] — 1775
To engage or hire (someone), especially temporarily.
•
To employ (someone, especially a lawyer) by paying a retainer (“fee one pays to reserve another person's time for services”); specifically, to engage (a barrister) by making an initial payment to secure their services if needed.
- It is vvell knovvn thou retainest thy Lavvyers by the Year, so a fresh Lavv-Suit adds but little to thy Expences; […] — 1733
•
To keep (someone) in one's pay or service; also, (chiefly historical) to maintain (someone) as a dependent or follower.
- [H]e entrusted the government of the province to Archas Martin and Lupicaire, tvvo mercenary Brabançons, vvhom he had retained in his service. — 1762
•
Of a thing: to hold or keep (something) inside it; to contain.
- water retained by a dam
To hold back (tissue or a substance, especially urine) in the body or a body organ.
Of a body or body organ: to hold back tissue or a substance.
Often followed by from: to hold back (someone or something); to check, to prevent, to restrain, to stop.
To hold back (a pupil) instead of allowing them to advance to the next class or year; to keep back.
[with oneself] To control or restrain (oneself); to exercise self-control over (oneself).
To hold (something) secure; to prevent (something) from becoming detached or separated.
•
To declare (a sin) not forgiven.
- Receave the holy goost: whosoevers synnes ye remyt⸝ they are remitted vnto them: And whosoevers synnes ye retayne⸝ they are retayned. — 1526
•
(no longer used, rare) To continue, to remain.
- No more can impure man retaine and move / In that pure region of a vvorthy love: / Then earthly substance can unforc'd aspire, / And leave his nature to converse vvith fire: […] — 1631
•
(no longer used) To keep (someone) in custody; to prevent (someone) from leaving.
- There vvith the Nymph his mother, like her thrall; / VVho sore against his vvill did him retaine, / For feare of perill, vvhich to him mote fall, / Through his too ventrous provvesse proued ouer all. — 1596
•
(no longer used) To refrain from doing something.
- [T]hey can scarce retaine from bursting foorth / In plaine reuolt. — 1600
•
(no longer used) To be a dependent or follower to someone.
- He was reteynyng to Sergius Paulus, whiche was proconsull, that is to saye lieutenaunt, or the lorde deputie of that Yland, and was a wyse man and of good experience. — 1549

noun2

(no longer used) An act of holding or keeping something; a possession, a retention.
(no longer used) Synonym of retinue (“a group of attendants or servants, especially of someone considered important”).

forms

retained · retainedst · retaining · retaineth · retains · retainest

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