v.tr. 1 a keep possession of; not lose; continue to have, practise, or recognize. b not abolish, discard, or alter. 2 keep in one's memory. 3 keep in place; hold fixed. 4 secure the services of (a person, esp. a barrister) with a preliminary payment. retaining fee a fee paid to secure a person, service, etc. retaining wall a wall supporting and confining a mass of earth or water. retainable adj. retainability n. retainment n.
[ ME f. AF retei(g)n- f. stem of OF retenir ult. f. L retinere retent- (as RE-, tenere hold) ]