RETENTIVE


Meaning of RETENTIVE in English

I. rə̇ˈtentiv, rēˈ-, -tēv also -təv adjective

Etymology: Middle English retentif, retentive, from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French retentif, from Medieval Latin retentivus, from Latin retentus (past participle) + -ivus -ive

: tending to retain : having the power, property, or capacity of retaining

soils retentive of moisture

as

a. : retaining knowledge : having a good memory : tenacious

a retentive memory

a retentive mind

a retentive person

b. : parsimonious

c. : holding in place or custody : preventive of escape : restraining

d. : restrained , reticent

• re·ten·tive·ly -tə̇vlē, -li adverb

• re·ten·tive·ness -tivnə̇s, -tēv- also -təv- noun -es

II. noun

( -s )

: something that retains or confines : restraint

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.