Retain Definition
rĭ-tān
retained, retaining, retains
verb
retained, retaining, retains
To hold or keep in possession.
Webster's New World
To keep in a fixed state or condition.
Webster's New World
To continue to have or hold in.
To retain heat.
Webster's New World
To continue to practice, use, etc.
Webster's New World
To keep in mind.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
Origin of Retain
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Middle English retainen from Old French retenir from Latin retinēre re- re- tenēre to hold ten- in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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From French retenir, from Vulgar Latin *retinō, retinÄ«re, from Latin retinō, retinere, from Latin re- + teneō, tenere (“to hold")
From Wiktionary
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