/ rɪˈteɪn; NAmE / verb [ vn ] (rather formal )
1.
to keep sth; to continue to have sth
SYN preserve :
to retain your independence
He struggled to retain control of the situation.
The house retains much of its original charm.
She retained her tennis title for the third year.
2.
to continue to hold or contain sth :
a soil that retains moisture
This information is no longer retained within the computer's main memory.
( figurative )
She has a good memory and finds it easy to retain facts.
3.
( law ) if a member of the public retains sb such as a lawyer, he or she pays money regularly or in advance so the lawyer, etc. will do work for him or her :
a retaining fee
to retain the services of a lawyer
—see also retention , retentive
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : via Anglo-Norman French from Old French retenir , from Latin retinere , from re- back + tenere hold.