[re.tain] vt [ME reteinen, retainen, fr. MF retenir, fr. L retinere to hold back, keep, restrain, fr. re- + tenere to hold--more at thin] (15c) 1 a: to keep in possession or use b: to keep in one's pay or service; specif: to employ by paying a retainer c: to keep in mind or memory: remember
2: to hold secure or intact syn see keep