■ verb
1》 continue to have; keep possession of.
↘not abolish, discard, or alter.
↘keep in one's memory.
2》 absorb and continue to hold (a substance).
3》 keep in place; hold fixed.
4》 keep engaged in one's service.
↘secure the services of (a barrister) with a preliminary payment.
Derivatives
~ability noun
~able adjective
~ing adjective
~ment noun
Origin
ME: via Anglo-Norman Fr. from OFr. retenir , from L. retinere , from re- 'back' + tenere 'hold'.