vi to belong; to pertain.
2. retain ·vt to restrain; to prevent.
3. retain ·vi to keep; to continue; to remain.
4. retain ·vt to continue to hold; to keep in possession; not to lose, part with, or dismiss; to retrain from departure, escape, or the like.
5. retain ·vt to keep in pay; to employ by a preliminary fee paid; to hire; to engage; as, to retain a counselor.