Retain word meaning and definition

[verb] keep in one's mind; "I cannot retain so much information"
[verb] as to represent; of legal counsel; "I'm retaining a lawyer"
[verb] secure and keep for possible future use or application; "The landlord retained the security deposit"; "I reserve the right to disagree"
[verb] hold on to
[verb] allow to remain in a place or position; "We cannot continue several servants any longer"; "She retains a lawyer"; "The family's fortune waned and they could not keep their household staff"; "Our grant has run out and we cannot keep you on"; "We kept the work going as long as we could"
[verb] hold within; "This soil retains water"; "I retain this drug for a long time"

\Re*tain"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Retained}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Retaining}.] [F. retainir, L. retinere; pref. re- re- + tenere to hold, keep. See {Tenable}, and cf. {Rein} of a bridle, {Retention}, {Retinue}.] 1. To continue to hold; to keep in possession; not to lose, part with, or dismiss; to retrain from departure, escape, or the like. ``Thy shape invisibleretain.'' --Shak. Be obedient, and retain Unalterably firm his love entire. --Milton. An executor may retain a debt due to him from the testator. --Blackstone. 2. To keep in pay; to employ by a preliminary fee paid; to hire; to engage; as, to retain a counselor. A Benedictine convent has now retained the most learned father of their order to write in its defense. --Addison. 3. To restrain; to prevent. [Obs.] --Sir W. Temple. {Retaining wall} (Arch. & Engin.), a wall built to keep any movable backing, or a bank of sand or earth, in its place; -- called also {retain wall}. Syn: To keep; hold; retrain. See {Keep}.
\Re*tain"\, v. i. 1. To belong; to pertain. [Obs.] A somewhat languid relish, retaining to bitterness. --Boyle. 2. To keep; to continue; to remain. [Obs.] --Donne.

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