retenir

A. vtr

• 1 to keep [person] retenir qn prisonnier = to hold sb captive retenir qn à dîner = to ask sb to stay for dinner Definition of keep in the British & World English dictionary Definition of keep in the US English dictionary Translate keep | into German | into Italian | into Spanish

• 2 to hold [sb] up, to detain [person] Definition of hold up in the British & World English dictionary Definition of hold up in the US English dictionary Translate hold up | into German | into Italian | into Spanish

• 3 to hold [object, attention]; to hold back [hair, dog, crowd]; to stop [person] retenir sa langue = to hold one's tongue retenir qn par la manche = to catch hold of sb's sleeve votre réclamation a retenu toute notre attention = your complaint is receiving our full attention Definition of hold in the British & World English dictionary Definition of hold in the US English dictionary Translate hold | into German | into Italian | into Spanish

• 4 to hold back [tears]; to hold [breath]; to stifle [scream, yawn]; to contain, to suppress [anger] Definition of hold back in the British & World English dictionary Definition of hold back in the US English dictionary Translate hold back | into German | into Italian | into Spanish

• 5 to retain [heat, water, odour] Definition of retain in the British & World English dictionary Definition of retain in the US English dictionary Translate retain | into German | into Italian | into Spanish

• 6 to reserve, to book (GB) [table, room]; to set [date] Definition of reserve in the British & World English dictionary Definition of reserve in the US English dictionary Translate reserve | into German | into Italian | into Spanish

• 7 to deduct [sum] Definition of deduct in the British & World English dictionary Definition of deduct in the US English dictionary Translate deduct | into German | into Italian | into Spanish

• 8 to remember toi, je te retiens! (fam) = I won't forget this! Definition of remember in the British & World English dictionary Definition of remember in the US English dictionary Translate remember | into German | into Italian | into Spanish

• 9 to accept [argument, plan]; [Law] to uphold [charge] Definition of accept in the British & World English dictionary Definition of accept in the US English dictionary Translate accept | into German | into Italian | into Spanish

• 10 (in mathematics) je pose 5 et je retiens 2 = I put down 5 and carry 2

B. v refl (+ v être)

• 1 to stop oneself se retenir à qch = to hang on to sth

• 2se retenir de pleurer = to hold back the tears

• 3 (fam) to control oneselfTranslate control oneself | into Italian