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35 definitions found
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 :   [ gcide ]

  Retain \Re*tain"\, v. i.
     1. To belong; to pertain. [Obs.]
        [1913 Webster]
  
              A somewhat languid relish, retaining to bitterness.
                                                    --Boyle.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. To keep; to continue; to remain. [Obs.] --Donne.
        [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 :   [ gcide ]

  Retain \Re*tain"\ (r[-e]*t[=a]n"), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
     Retained (r[-e]*t[=a]nd"); 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 restrain from departure, escape,
        or the like. ``Thy shape invisible retain.'' --Shak.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Be obedient, and retain
              Unalterably firm his love entire.     --Milton.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              An executor may retain a debt due to him from the
              testator.                             --Blackstone.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. To keep in pay; to employ by a preliminary fee paid; to
        hire; to engage; as, to retain a counselor.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              A Benedictine convent has now retained the most
              learned father of their order to write in its
              defense.                              --Addison.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. To restrain; to prevent. [Obs.] --Sir W. Temple.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Syn: To keep; hold; restrain. See Keep.
          [1913 Webster]

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) :   [ web1913 ]

  Retain \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.

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) :   [ web1913 ]

  Retain \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.

From WordNet (r) 2.0 :   [ wn ]

  retain
       v 1: hold within; "This soil retains water"; "I retain this drug
            for a long time"
       2: 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"
          [syn: continue, keep, keep on, keep going]
       3: secure and keep for possible future use or application; "The
          landlord retained the security deposit"; "I reserve the
          right to disagree" [syn: hold, keep back, hold back]
       4: keep in one's mind; "I cannot retain so much information"

From Greek Wiktionary: All languages (2023-07-27) :   [ dictinfo.com:wikt-el-ALL-2023-07-27 ]

  retain
     Αγγλικά n.
     1 διατηρώ κάτι στην κατοχή μου
     2 διατηρώ, συνεχίζω να κάνω κάτι όπως παλιότερα
     3 συγκρατώ στη μνήμη μου
     4 κρατώ ή συγκρατώ κάτι στη θέση του
     5 έχω στις υπηρεσίες μου κάποιον δίνοντάς του μισθό ή προκαταβολή από
  την αμοιβή του

From English Wiktionary: All languages (2023-07-27) :   [ dictinfo.com:wikt-en-ALL-2023-07-27 ]

  retain
     vb.
     1 (lb en transitive)
     2 # ''Often followed by'' '''from''': to hold back (someone or
  something); to check#Verb, to prevent, to restrain, to stop#Verb.
     3 ## (lb en education) To hold back (a pupil) instead of allowing
  them to advance#Verb to the next#Adjective class#Noun or year; to keep
  back.
     4 # Of a thing: to hold#Verb or keep#Verb (something)
  inside#Preposition it; to contain.
     5 ## (lb en medicine) To hold back (tissue#Noun or a substance#Noun,
  especially urine#Noun) in the body#Noun or a body organ#Noun.
     6 # To hold (something) secure#Adjective; to prevent (something) from
  become detached#Adjective or separated#Adjective.
     7 # To keep (something) in control#Noun or possession; to
  continue#Verb have#Verb (something); to keep back.
     8 ## To keep (something) in the mind#Noun; to recall#Verb, to
  remember.
     9 ##* {RQ:Temple Miscellanea|part=2|page=307|passage=Novv 'tis
  obvious enough to conceive, hovv much eaſier, all ſuch VVritings ſhould
  be Learnt and Remembred, in Verſe than in Proſe, (...) by the order of
  Feet vvhich makes a great Facility of Tracing one VVord after another,
  by knovving vvhat ſort of Foot or Quantity, muſt neceſſarily have
  preceded or follovved the VVords vve '''retain''' and deſire to make
  up.}
     10 ##* (RQ:Dryden Pastorals lines=60–62 page=43 passage=Or that
  ſvveet Song I heard vvith ſuch delight; / The ſame you ſung alone one
  ſtarry Night; / The Tune I ſtill '''retain''', but not the VVords.)
     11 ##* {RQ:Swift Polite Conversation|page=xiv|passage=[W]hatever
  Perſon vvould aſpire to be completely vvitty, ſmart, humourous, and
  polite, muſt by hard Labour be able to '''retain''' in his Memory every
  ſingle Sentence contained in this VVork, (...)}
     12 ##* {quote-book|en|author=Gustave Flaubert|authorlink=Gustave
  Flaubert|chapter=11|translator=(w: Eleanor Marx-Aveling)|title=(w:
  Madame Bovary)|edition=collector’s|location=New York, N.Y.|publisher=(w:
  Pocket Books)|year=1958|section=part
  III|page=366|pageurl=https://archive.org/details/madamebovary0000unse_m1t0/page/366/mode/1up|oclc=25643579|passage=A
  strange thing was that Bovary, while continually thinking of Emma, was
  forgetting her. He grew desperate as he felt this image fading from his
  memory in spite of all efforts to '''retain''' it. Yet every night he
  dreamt of her; it was always the same dream. He drew near her, but when
  he was about to clasp her she fell into decay in his arms.}
     13 # To keep (something) in place#Noun or use#Noun, instead of
  remove#Verb or abolishing it; to preserve#Verb.
     14 # To engage or hire#Verb (someone), especially temporarily.
     15 ## (lb en chiefly law) To employ (someone, especially a
  lawyer#Noun) by pay#Verb a (l en retainer t=fee#Noun fee one pays to
  reserve#Verb reserve another person#Noun person's time#Noun time for
  service#Noun services); specifically, to engage (a barrister) by
  make#Verb an initial#Adjective payment to secure#Verb their services if
  need#Verb.
     16 ##* {RQ:Arbuthnot Law|year=1733|chapter=XVI|chaptername=How John
  Bull and Nic. Frog Settled Their Accompts|page=143|passage=It is vvell
  knovvn thou '''retaineſt''' thy Lavvyers by the Year, ſo a freſh
  Lavv-Suit adds but little to thy Expences; (...)}
     17 ##* (RQ:Dickens Pickwick Papers chapter=Which is All about the
  Law, and Sundry Great Authorities Learned therein page=325
  passage="Mr. Pickwick is the defendant in Bardell and Pickwick,
  Serjeant Snubbin," said Perker. / "I am '''retained''' in
  that, am I?" said the Sergeant. / "You are, Sir," replied
  Perker.)
     18 # To keep (someone) in one's pay#Noun or service; also, (lb en
  chiefly historical) to maintain (someone) as a dependent#Noun or
  follower.
     19 # (lb en reflexive) To control#Verb or restrain (oneself); to
  exercise#Verb self-control#Noun over (oneself).
     20 # (lb en archaic) To keep (someone) in custody; to prevent
  (someone) from leave#Verb.
     21 # (senseid en Christianity)(lb en Christianity) To declare (a
  sin#Noun) not forgiven.
     22 (lb en intransitive)
     23 # To keep in control or possession; to continue having.
     24 # To have the ability to keep something in the mind; to use#Verb
  the memory.
     25 # (lb en medicine) Of a body or body organ: to hold back tissue or
  a substance.
     26 # (lb en obsolete)
     27 ## To refrain#Verb from do#Verb something.
     28 ##* (RQ:Marston Antonio's Revenge scene=i sig=I2 verso=1 page=75
  passage=[T]hey can ſcarce '''retaine''' from burſting foorth / In plaine
  reuolt.)
     29 ## To be a dependent or follower to someone.
     30 ##* (RQ:Erasmus Newe Testamente tome=1 book=Acts chapter=XIII
  folio=xlviii verso=1 passage=He was '''reteynyng''' to Sergius Paulus,
  whiche was proconſull, that is to ſaye lieutenaunt, or the lorde deputie
  of that Yland, and was a wyſe man and of good experience.)
     31 ##* (RQ:Drayton Poly-Olbion chapter=The Eight Song page=121
  passage=VVhen ſoone thoſe other Rils to ''Seuerne'' vvhich
  '''retaine''', / And 'tended not on ''Teame'', thus of themſelues do
  ſhovve / The ſeruice that to her they abſolutely ovve.)
     32 ##* {RQ:Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica|chapter=Of the Last and
  Common Promoter of False Opinions, the Endeavours of (w:
  Satan)|page=42|passage=And therefore hereto he inveigleth, not only the
  Sadduces and ſuch as '''retaine''' unto the Church of God, but is alſo
  content that (w: Epicurus) (w: Democritus) or any of the heathen ſhould
  hold the ſame.}
     33 ## (lb en rare) To continue, to remain#Verb.
     34 ##* {RQ:Donne Poems|year=1639|poem=To the Countesse of
  Huntington|page=194|passage=No more can impure man '''retaine''' and
  move / In that pure region of a vvorthy love: / Then earthly ſubſtance
  can unforc'd aſpire, / And leave his nature to converſe vvith fire:
  (...)}
     n.
     1 An act#Noun of hold#Verb or keep#Verb something; a possession, a
  retention.
     2 (synonym of en retinue t=a group#Noun group of attendant#Noun
  attendants or servants, especially of someone considered important)

From English Wiktionary: English language only (2023-07-27) :   [ dictinfo.com:wikt-en-en-2023-07-27 ]

  retain
     vb.
     1 (lb en transitive)
     2 # ''Often followed by'' '''from''': to hold back (someone or
  something); to check#Verb, to prevent, to restrain, to stop#Verb.
     3 ## (lb en education) To hold back (a pupil) instead of allowing
  them to advance#Verb to the next#Adjective class#Noun or year; to keep
  back.
     4 # Of a thing: to hold#Verb or keep#Verb (something)
  inside#Preposition it; to contain.
     5 ## (lb en medicine) To hold back (tissue#Noun or a substance#Noun,
  especially urine#Noun) in the body#Noun or a body organ#Noun.
     6 # To hold (something) secure#Adjective; to prevent (something) from
  become detached#Adjective or separated#Adjective.
     7 # To keep (something) in control#Noun or possession; to
  continue#Verb have#Verb (something); to keep back.
     8 ## To keep (something) in the mind#Noun; to recall#Verb, to
  remember.
     9 ##* {RQ:Temple Miscellanea|part=2|page=307|passage=Novv 'tis
  obvious enough to conceive, hovv much eaſier, all ſuch VVritings ſhould
  be Learnt and Remembred, in Verſe than in Proſe, (...) by the order of
  Feet vvhich makes a great Facility of Tracing one VVord after another,
  by knovving vvhat ſort of Foot or Quantity, muſt neceſſarily have
  preceded or follovved the VVords vve '''retain''' and deſire to make
  up.}
     10 ##* (RQ:Dryden Pastorals lines=60–62 page=43 passage=Or that
  ſvveet Song I heard vvith ſuch delight; / The ſame you ſung alone one
  ſtarry Night; / The Tune I ſtill '''retain''', but not the VVords.)
     11 ##* {RQ:Swift Polite Conversation|page=xiv|passage=[W]hatever
  Perſon vvould aſpire to be completely vvitty, ſmart, humourous, and
  polite, muſt by hard Labour be able to '''retain''' in his Memory every
  ſingle Sentence contained in this VVork, (...)}
     12 ##* {quote-book|en|author=Gustave Flaubert|authorlink=Gustave
  Flaubert|chapter=11|translator=(w: Eleanor Marx-Aveling)|title=(w:
  Madame Bovary)|edition=collector’s|location=New York, N.Y.|publisher=(w:
  Pocket Books)|year=1958|section=part
  III|page=366|pageurl=https://archive.org/details/madamebovary0000unse_m1t0/page/366/mode/1up|oclc=25643579|passage=A
  strange thing was that Bovary, while continually thinking of Emma, was
  forgetting her. He grew desperate as he felt this image fading from his
  memory in spite of all efforts to '''retain''' it. Yet every night he
  dreamt of her; it was always the same dream. He drew near her, but when
  he was about to clasp her she fell into decay in his arms.}
     13 # To keep (something) in place#Noun or use#Noun, instead of
  remove#Verb or abolishing it; to preserve#Verb.
     14 # To engage or hire#Verb (someone), especially temporarily.
     15 ## (lb en chiefly law) To employ (someone, especially a
  lawyer#Noun) by pay#Verb a (l en retainer t=fee#Noun fee one pays to
  reserve#Verb reserve another person#Noun person's time#Noun time for
  service#Noun services); specifically, to engage (a barrister) by
  make#Verb an initial#Adjective payment to secure#Verb their services if
  need#Verb.
     16 ##* {RQ:Arbuthnot Law|year=1733|chapter=XVI|chaptername=How John
  Bull and Nic. Frog Settled Their Accompts|page=143|passage=It is vvell
  knovvn thou '''retaineſt''' thy Lavvyers by the Year, ſo a freſh
  Lavv-Suit adds but little to thy Expences; (...)}
     17 ##* (RQ:Dickens Pickwick Papers chapter=Which is All about the
  Law, and Sundry Great Authorities Learned therein page=325
  passage="Mr. Pickwick is the defendant in Bardell and Pickwick,
  Serjeant Snubbin," said Perker. / "I am '''retained''' in
  that, am I?" said the Sergeant. / "You are, Sir," replied
  Perker.)
     18 # To keep (someone) in one's pay#Noun or service; also, (lb en
  chiefly historical) to maintain (someone) as a dependent#Noun or
  follower.
     19 # (lb en reflexive) To control#Verb or restrain (oneself); to
  exercise#Verb self-control#Noun over (oneself).
     20 # (lb en archaic) To keep (someone) in custody; to prevent
  (someone) from leave#Verb.
     21 # (senseid en Christianity)(lb en Christianity) To declare (a
  sin#Noun) not forgiven.
     22 (lb en intransitive)
     23 # To keep in control or possession; to continue having.
     24 # To have the ability to keep something in the mind; to use#Verb
  the memory.
     25 # (lb en medicine) Of a body or body organ: to hold back tissue or
  a substance.
     26 # (lb en obsolete)
     27 ## To refrain#Verb from do#Verb something.
     28 ##* (RQ:Marston Antonio's Revenge scene=i sig=I2 verso=1 page=75
  passage=[T]hey can ſcarce '''retaine''' from burſting foorth / In plaine
  reuolt.)
     29 ## To be a dependent or follower to someone.
     30 ##* (RQ:Erasmus Newe Testamente tome=1 book=Acts chapter=XIII
  folio=xlviii verso=1 passage=He was '''reteynyng''' to Sergius Paulus,
  whiche was proconſull, that is to ſaye lieutenaunt, or the lorde deputie
  of that Yland, and was a wyſe man and of good experience.)
     31 ##* (RQ:Drayton Poly-Olbion chapter=The Eight Song page=121
  passage=VVhen ſoone thoſe other Rils to ''Seuerne'' vvhich
  '''retaine''', / And 'tended not on ''Teame'', thus of themſelues do
  ſhovve / The ſeruice that to her they abſolutely ovve.)
     32 ##* {RQ:Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica|chapter=Of the Last and
  Common Promoter of False Opinions, the Endeavours of (w:
  Satan)|page=42|passage=And therefore hereto he inveigleth, not only the
  Sadduces and ſuch as '''retaine''' unto the Church of God, but is alſo
  content that (w: Epicurus) (w: Democritus) or any of the heathen ſhould
  hold the ſame.}
     33 ## (lb en rare) To continue, to remain#Verb.
     34 ##* {RQ:Donne Poems|year=1639|poem=To the Countesse of
  Huntington|page=194|passage=No more can impure man '''retaine''' and
  move / In that pure region of a vvorthy love: / Then earthly ſubſtance
  can unforc'd aſpire, / And leave his nature to converſe vvith fire:
  (...)}
     n.
     1 An act#Noun of hold#Verb or keep#Verb something; a possession, a
  retention.
     2 (synonym of en retinue t=a group#Noun group of attendant#Noun
  attendants or servants, especially of someone considered important)

From English Wiktionary: Western, Greek, and Slavonic languages only (2023-07-27) :   [ dictinfo.com:wikt-en-Western_Greek_Slavonic-2023-07-27 ]

  retain
     vb.
     1 (lb en transitive)
     2 # ''Often followed by'' '''from''': to hold back (someone or
  something); to check#Verb, to prevent, to restrain, to stop#Verb.
     3 ## (lb en education) To hold back (a pupil) instead of allowing
  them to advance#Verb to the next#Adjective class#Noun or year; to keep
  back.
     4 # Of a thing: to hold#Verb or keep#Verb (something)
  inside#Preposition it; to contain.
     5 ## (lb en medicine) To hold back (tissue#Noun or a substance#Noun,
  especially urine#Noun) in the body#Noun or a body organ#Noun.
     6 # To hold (something) secure#Adjective; to prevent (something) from
  become detached#Adjective or separated#Adjective.
     7 # To keep (something) in control#Noun or possession; to
  continue#Verb have#Verb (something); to keep back.
     8 ## To keep (something) in the mind#Noun; to recall#Verb, to
  remember.
     9 ##* {RQ:Temple Miscellanea|part=2|page=307|passage=Novv 'tis
  obvious enough to conceive, hovv much eaſier, all ſuch VVritings ſhould
  be Learnt and Remembred, in Verſe than in Proſe, (...) by the order of
  Feet vvhich makes a great Facility of Tracing one VVord after another,
  by knovving vvhat ſort of Foot or Quantity, muſt neceſſarily have
  preceded or follovved the VVords vve '''retain''' and deſire to make
  up.}
     10 ##* (RQ:Dryden Pastorals lines=60–62 page=43 passage=Or that
  ſvveet Song I heard vvith ſuch delight; / The ſame you ſung alone one
  ſtarry Night; / The Tune I ſtill '''retain''', but not the VVords.)
     11 ##* {RQ:Swift Polite Conversation|page=xiv|passage=[W]hatever
  Perſon vvould aſpire to be completely vvitty, ſmart, humourous, and
  polite, muſt by hard Labour be able to '''retain''' in his Memory every
  ſingle Sentence contained in this VVork, (...)}
     12 ##* {quote-book|en|author=Gustave Flaubert|authorlink=Gustave
  Flaubert|chapter=11|translator=(w: Eleanor Marx-Aveling)|title=(w:
  Madame Bovary)|edition=collector’s|location=New York, N.Y.|publisher=(w:
  Pocket Books)|year=1958|section=part
  III|page=366|pageurl=https://archive.org/details/madamebovary0000unse_m1t0/page/366/mode/1up|oclc=25643579|passage=A
  strange thing was that Bovary, while continually thinking of Emma, was
  forgetting her. He grew desperate as he felt this image fading from his
  memory in spite of all efforts to '''retain''' it. Yet every night he
  dreamt of her; it was always the same dream. He drew near her, but when
  he was about to clasp her she fell into decay in his arms.}
     13 # To keep (something) in place#Noun or use#Noun, instead of
  remove#Verb or abolishing it; to preserve#Verb.
     14 # To engage or hire#Verb (someone), especially temporarily.
     15 ## (lb en chiefly law) To employ (someone, especially a
  lawyer#Noun) by pay#Verb a (l en retainer t=fee#Noun fee one pays to
  reserve#Verb reserve another person#Noun person's time#Noun time for
  service#Noun services); specifically, to engage (a barrister) by
  make#Verb an initial#Adjective payment to secure#Verb their services if
  need#Verb.
     16 ##* {RQ:Arbuthnot Law|year=1733|chapter=XVI|chaptername=How John
  Bull and Nic. Frog Settled Their Accompts|page=143|passage=It is vvell
  knovvn thou '''retaineſt''' thy Lavvyers by the Year, ſo a freſh
  Lavv-Suit adds but little to thy Expences; (...)}
     17 ##* (RQ:Dickens Pickwick Papers chapter=Which is All about the
  Law, and Sundry Great Authorities Learned therein page=325
  passage="Mr. Pickwick is the defendant in Bardell and Pickwick,
  Serjeant Snubbin," said Perker. / "I am '''retained''' in
  that, am I?" said the Sergeant. / "You are, Sir," replied
  Perker.)
     18 # To keep (someone) in one's pay#Noun or service; also, (lb en
  chiefly historical) to maintain (someone) as a dependent#Noun or
  follower.
     19 # (lb en reflexive) To control#Verb or restrain (oneself); to
  exercise#Verb self-control#Noun over (oneself).
     20 # (lb en archaic) To keep (someone) in custody; to prevent
  (someone) from leave#Verb.
     21 # (senseid en Christianity)(lb en Christianity) To declare (a
  sin#Noun) not forgiven.
     22 (lb en intransitive)
     23 # To keep in control or possession; to continue having.
     24 # To have the ability to keep something in the mind; to use#Verb
  the memory.
     25 # (lb en medicine) Of a body or body organ: to hold back tissue or
  a substance.
     26 # (lb en obsolete)
     27 ## To refrain#Verb from do#Verb something.
     28 ##* (RQ:Marston Antonio's Revenge scene=i sig=I2 verso=1 page=75
  passage=[T]hey can ſcarce '''retaine''' from burſting foorth / In plaine
  reuolt.)
     29 ## To be a dependent or follower to someone.
     30 ##* (RQ:Erasmus Newe Testamente tome=1 book=Acts chapter=XIII
  folio=xlviii verso=1 passage=He was '''reteynyng''' to Sergius Paulus,
  whiche was proconſull, that is to ſaye lieutenaunt, or the lorde deputie
  of that Yland, and was a wyſe man and of good experience.)
     31 ##* (RQ:Drayton Poly-Olbion chapter=The Eight Song page=121
  passage=VVhen ſoone thoſe other Rils to ''Seuerne'' vvhich
  '''retaine''', / And 'tended not on ''Teame'', thus of themſelues do
  ſhovve / The ſeruice that to her they abſolutely ovve.)
     32 ##* {RQ:Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica|chapter=Of the Last and
  Common Promoter of False Opinions, the Endeavours of (w:
  Satan)|page=42|passage=And therefore hereto he inveigleth, not only the
  Sadduces and ſuch as '''retaine''' unto the Church of God, but is alſo
  content that (w: Epicurus) (w: Democritus) or any of the heathen ſhould
  hold the ſame.}
     33 ## (lb en rare) To continue, to remain#Verb.
     34 ##* {RQ:Donne Poems|year=1639|poem=To the Countesse of
  Huntington|page=194|passage=No more can impure man '''retaine''' and
  move / In that pure region of a vvorthy love: / Then earthly ſubſtance
  can unforc'd aſpire, / And leave his nature to converſe vvith fire:
  (...)}
     n.
     1 An act#Noun of hold#Verb or keep#Verb something; a possession, a
  retention.
     2 (synonym of en retinue t=a group#Noun group of attendant#Noun
  attendants or servants, especially of someone considered important)

From English Wiktionary: Western languages only (2023-07-27) :   [ dictinfo.com:wikt-en-Western-2023-07-27 ]

  retain
     vb.
     1 (lb en transitive)
     2 # ''Often followed by'' '''from''': to hold back (someone or
  something); to check#Verb, to prevent, to restrain, to stop#Verb.
     3 ## (lb en education) To hold back (a pupil) instead of allowing
  them to advance#Verb to the next#Adjective class#Noun or year; to keep
  back.
     4 # Of a thing: to hold#Verb or keep#Verb (something)
  inside#Preposition it; to contain.
     5 ## (lb en medicine) To hold back (tissue#Noun or a substance#Noun,
  especially urine#Noun) in the body#Noun or a body organ#Noun.
     6 # To hold (something) secure#Adjective; to prevent (something) from
  become detached#Adjective or separated#Adjective.
     7 # To keep (something) in control#Noun or possession; to
  continue#Verb have#Verb (something); to keep back.
     8 ## To keep (something) in the mind#Noun; to recall#Verb, to
  remember.
     9 ##* {RQ:Temple Miscellanea|part=2|page=307|passage=Novv 'tis
  obvious enough to conceive, hovv much eaſier, all ſuch VVritings ſhould
  be Learnt and Remembred, in Verſe than in Proſe, (...) by the order of
  Feet vvhich makes a great Facility of Tracing one VVord after another,
  by knovving vvhat ſort of Foot or Quantity, muſt neceſſarily have
  preceded or follovved the VVords vve '''retain''' and deſire to make
  up.}
     10 ##* (RQ:Dryden Pastorals lines=60–62 page=43 passage=Or that
  ſvveet Song I heard vvith ſuch delight; / The ſame you ſung alone one
  ſtarry Night; / The Tune I ſtill '''retain''', but not the VVords.)
     11 ##* {RQ:Swift Polite Conversation|page=xiv|passage=[W]hatever
  Perſon vvould aſpire to be completely vvitty, ſmart, humourous, and
  polite, muſt by hard Labour be able to '''retain''' in his Memory every
  ſingle Sentence contained in this VVork, (...)}
     12 ##* {quote-book|en|author=Gustave Flaubert|authorlink=Gustave
  Flaubert|chapter=11|translator=(w: Eleanor Marx-Aveling)|title=(w:
  Madame Bovary)|edition=collector’s|location=New York, N.Y.|publisher=(w:
  Pocket Books)|year=1958|section=part
  III|page=366|pageurl=https://archive.org/details/madamebovary0000unse_m1t0/page/366/mode/1up|oclc=25643579|passage=A
  strange thing was that Bovary, while continually thinking of Emma, was
  forgetting her. He grew desperate as he felt this image fading from his
  memory in spite of all efforts to '''retain''' it. Yet every night he
  dreamt of her; it was always the same dream. He drew near her, but when
  he was about to clasp her she fell into decay in his arms.}
     13 # To keep (something) in place#Noun or use#Noun, instead of
  remove#Verb or abolishing it; to preserve#Verb.
     14 # To engage or hire#Verb (someone), especially temporarily.
     15 ## (lb en chiefly law) To employ (someone, especially a
  lawyer#Noun) by pay#Verb a (l en retainer t=fee#Noun fee one pays to
  reserve#Verb reserve another person#Noun person's time#Noun time for
  service#Noun services); specifically, to engage (a barrister) by
  make#Verb an initial#Adjective payment to secure#Verb their services if
  need#Verb.
     16 ##* {RQ:Arbuthnot Law|year=1733|chapter=XVI|chaptername=How John
  Bull and Nic. Frog Settled Their Accompts|page=143|passage=It is vvell
  knovvn thou '''retaineſt''' thy Lavvyers by the Year, ſo a freſh
  Lavv-Suit adds but little to thy Expences; (...)}
     17 ##* (RQ:Dickens Pickwick Papers chapter=Which is All about the
  Law, and Sundry Great Authorities Learned therein page=325
  passage="Mr. Pickwick is the defendant in Bardell and Pickwick,
  Serjeant Snubbin," said Perker. / "I am '''retained''' in
  that, am I?" said the Sergeant. / "You are, Sir," replied
  Perker.)
     18 # To keep (someone) in one's pay#Noun or service; also, (lb en
  chiefly historical) to maintain (someone) as a dependent#Noun or
  follower.
     19 # (lb en reflexive) To control#Verb or restrain (oneself); to
  exercise#Verb self-control#Noun over (oneself).
     20 # (lb en archaic) To keep (someone) in custody; to prevent
  (someone) from leave#Verb.
     21 # (senseid en Christianity)(lb en Christianity) To declare (a
  sin#Noun) not forgiven.
     22 (lb en intransitive)
     23 # To keep in control or possession; to continue having.
     24 # To have the ability to keep something in the mind; to use#Verb
  the memory.
     25 # (lb en medicine) Of a body or body organ: to hold back tissue or
  a substance.
     26 # (lb en obsolete)
     27 ## To refrain#Verb from do#Verb something.
     28 ##* (RQ:Marston Antonio's Revenge scene=i sig=I2 verso=1 page=75
  passage=[T]hey can ſcarce '''retaine''' from burſting foorth / In plaine
  reuolt.)
     29 ## To be a dependent or follower to someone.
     30 ##* (RQ:Erasmus Newe Testamente tome=1 book=Acts chapter=XIII
  folio=xlviii verso=1 passage=He was '''reteynyng''' to Sergius Paulus,
  whiche was proconſull, that is to ſaye lieutenaunt, or the lorde deputie
  of that Yland, and was a wyſe man and of good experience.)
     31 ##* (RQ:Drayton Poly-Olbion chapter=The Eight Song page=121
  passage=VVhen ſoone thoſe other Rils to ''Seuerne'' vvhich
  '''retaine''', / And 'tended not on ''Teame'', thus of themſelues do
  ſhovve / The ſeruice that to her they abſolutely ovve.)
     32 ##* {RQ:Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica|chapter=Of the Last and
  Common Promoter of False Opinions, the Endeavours of (w:
  Satan)|page=42|passage=And therefore hereto he inveigleth, not only the
  Sadduces and ſuch as '''retaine''' unto the Church of God, but is alſo
  content that (w: Epicurus) (w: Democritus) or any of the heathen ſhould
  hold the ſame.}
     33 ## (lb en rare) To continue, to remain#Verb.
     34 ##* {RQ:Donne Poems|year=1639|poem=To the Countesse of
  Huntington|page=194|passage=No more can impure man '''retaine''' and
  move / In that pure region of a vvorthy love: / Then earthly ſubſtance
  can unforc'd aſpire, / And leave his nature to converſe vvith fire:
  (...)}
     n.
     1 An act#Noun of hold#Verb or keep#Verb something; a possession, a
  retention.
     2 (synonym of en retinue t=a group#Noun group of attendant#Noun
  attendants or servants, especially of someone considered important)

From Finnish Wiktionary: All languages (2023-07-27) :   [ dictinfo.com:wikt-fi-ALL-2023-07-27 ]

  retain
     Englanti vb.
     pitää, säilyttää

From Swedish Wiktionary: All languages (2023-07-27) :   [ dictinfo.com:wikt-sv-ALL-2023-07-27 ]

  retain
     Engelska vb.
     behålla, bibehålla

From English-Arabic FreeDict Dictionary ver. 0.6.3 :   [ freedict:eng-ara ]

  Retain /ɹɪtˈeɪn/
  إحتفظ به

From English-български език FreeDict+WikDict dictionary ver. 2023.05.29 :   [ freedict:eng-bul ]

  retain //ɹɪˈteɪn// 
  1. задържам
  to hold secure
  2. ангажирам, наемам
  to keep in one's pay or service
  3. запазвам, съхранявам
  to keep in possession or use

From English-Czech dicts.info/FreeDict Dictionary ver. 0.1.3 :   [ freedict:eng-ces ]

  retain /ɹɪtˈeɪn/
  podržet si

From English-Czech dicts.info/FreeDict Dictionary ver. 0.1.3 :   [ freedict:eng-ces ]

  retain /ɹɪtˈeɪn/
  ponechat si

From English-Czech dicts.info/FreeDict Dictionary ver. 0.1.3 :   [ freedict:eng-ces ]

  retain /ɹɪtˈeɪn/
   [eko] držet, podržet

From English - German Ding/FreeDict dictionary ver. 1.9-fd1 :   [ freedict:eng-deu ]

  retain /ɹɪtˈeɪn/ 
  behalten, einbehalten, zurückbehalten 
   see: retaining, retained, retains, retained
  

From English - Modern Greek XDXF/FreeDict dictionary ver. 0.1.1 :   [ freedict:eng-ell ]

  retain /ɹɪtˈeɪn/
  
  παρακρστώ, διατηρώ, κρατώ, συγκατακρατώ

From English-suomi FreeDict+WikDict dictionary ver. 2023.05.29 :   [ freedict:eng-fin ]

  retain //ɹɪˈteɪn// 
  1. jättää luokalle
  to hold back a student
  2. pitää (kiinni)
  to hold secure
  3. pitää palveluksessaan
  to keep in one's pay or service
  4. pitää, säilyttää
  to keep in possession or use

From English-French FreeDict Dictionary ver. 0.1.6 :   [ freedict:eng-fra ]

  retain /ritein/
  réprimer

From English-Hindi FreeDict Dictionary ver. 1.6 :   [ freedict:eng-hin ]

  retain /ɹɪtˈeɪn/ 
  1. रख~लेना
        "She is trying to retain her place in the hocky team."
  2. रोक रखना
        "Clay soil retains water."
  3. सुरक्षित रखना
        "He retained a lawyer by paying him in advance for his case."

From English-Croatian FreeDict Dictionary ver. 0.2.2 :   [ freedict:eng-hrv ]

  retain /ɹɪtˈeɪn/
  d rzati .zadržati, najmiti, osigurati usluge, rezervirati, sačuvati, zadržati, zadržavati, zapamtiti

From English-Italian FreeDict Dictionary ver. 0.1.2 :   [ freedict:eng-ita ]

  retain /ɹɪtˈeɪn/
  ritenere

From English-Dutch FreeDict Dictionary ver. 0.2 :   [ freedict:eng-nld ]

  retain /ritein/
  detineren, ophouden, reserveren, terughouden, weerhouden

From English-Norsk FreeDict+WikDict dictionary ver. 2023.05.29 :   [ freedict:eng-nor ]

  retain //ɹɪˈteɪn// 
  få, motta
  to keep in possession or use

From English - Polish Piotrowski+Saloni/FreeDict dictionary ver. 0.2 :   [ freedict:eng-pol ]

  retain /rɪˈteɪn/ 
    zachowywać, zatrzymywać

From English-Portuguese FreeDict Dictionary ver. 0.3 :   [ freedict:eng-por ]

  retain /ritein/
  deter, reter

From English-Spanish FreeDict Dictionary ver. 0.3.1 :   [ freedict:eng-spa ]

  retain /ritein/
  retener

From English-Svenska FreeDict+WikDict dictionary ver. 2023.05.29 :   [ freedict:eng-swe ]

  retain //ɹɪˈteɪn// 
  bevara, få
  to keep in possession or use

From English-Turkish FreeDict Dictionary ver. 0.3 :   [ freedict:eng-tur ]

  retain /ɹɪtˈeɪn/
  1. alıkoymak tutmak, elinde bulundurmak
  2. ücretle tutmak (avukat, uzman)
  3. akılda tutmak unutmamak. retainable  .elde tutulabilir. retaining wall istinat duvarı.

From IPA:en_US :   [ IPA:en_US ]

  

/ɹiˈteɪn/, /ɹɪˈteɪn/

From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 :   [ moby-thesaurus ]

  100 Moby Thesaurus words for "retain":
     absorb, balance, ballast, bear in mind, bespeak, book, bottle up,
     brief, brood over, cherish, cite, commission, conserve, contain,
     cork up, counterbalance, detain, dwell on, dwell upon, employ,
     engage, enjoy, extend, fan the embers, firm, firm up, freeze,
     hang on to, have in mind, hire, hold, hold back, hold in,
     hold in mind, hold on to, husband, immobilize, inhibit, keep,
     keep alive, keep back, keep by one, keep going, keep in,
     keep in memory, keep in mind, keep in reserve, keep in store,
     keep in view, keep on hand, keep out, keep up, lay by, lengthen,
     lock in, maintain, memorize, mind, nail down, own, perpetuate,
     pin down, possess, preengage, preserve, prolong, protract,
     put apart, put aside, put by, recall, recollect, recruit, remember,
     remind, reminisce, repress, reserve, retrospect, revive, save,
     save up, set apart, set aside, set by, sign on, sign up,
     sign up for, soak up, stabilitate, stabilize, steady, stick,
     suppress, sustain, take into employment, take on, transfix,
     treasure, withhold
  
  

From Stardic English-Chinese Dictionary :   [ stardic ]

  v. 保有,记得,聘请;

From XDICT the English-Chinese dictionary :   [ xdict ]

     vt. 保持,保留;留住,挡住;记住

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