retain

 
Pronunciation: /rɪˈteɪn/

verb

[with obj]
  • 1continue to have (something); keep possession of: Labour retained the seat built in 1830, the house retains many of its original features
  • not abolish or alter; maintain: the rights of defendants must be retained
  • keep in one’s memory: I retained a few French words and phrases
  • 2absorb and continue to hold (a substance): limestone is known to retain water
  • 3 (often as adjective retaining) keep (something) in place; hold fixed: remove the retaining bar
  • 4keep (someone) engaged in one’s service: he has been retained as a freelance
  • secure the services of (a barrister) with a preliminary payment: retain a barrister to handle the client’s business

Derivatives

retainability

Pronunciation: /-ˈbɪlɪti/
noun

retainable

adjective

retainment

noun

Origin:

late Middle English: via Anglo-Norman French from Old French retenir, from Latin retinere, from re- 'back' + tenere 'hold'