— retentively , adv. — retentiveness , n.
/ri ten"tiv/ , adj.
1. tending or serving to retain something.
2. having power or capacity to retain.
3. having power or ability to remember; having a good memory.
[ 1325-75; ME retentif retentivus, equiv. to L retent ( us ) (see RETENTION) + -ivus -IVE ]