adj.
Pronunciation: - ' ten-tiv
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English retentif, from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin retentivus, from Latin retentus, past participle of retin ē re
Date: 14th century
: having the power, property, or capacity of retaining <soils retentive of moisture> especially : retaining knowledge easily <a retentive memory>
– re · ten · tive · ly adverb
– re · ten · tive · ness noun